Ruben Dias has been rewarded for his outstanding debut season at Manchester City with a six-year contract extension to keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2027.
The Portugal international was voted Footballer of the Year and named Uefa’s Defender of the Season after helping City win the Premier League and the League Cup, as well as reaching the first Champions League final of their history.
Now he joins his centre-back partner John Stones in a signing a long-term deal to give City continuity at the back.
“I’m very happy to sign the new deal. I have enjoyed every single minute of my time at City since joining last year,” said Dias, who signed from Benfica.
“Playing for City has surpassed all my expectations and it’s an absolute pleasure to be part of such an incredible squad.
Manchester City v Arsenal player ratings
MANCHESTER CITY PLAYER RATINGS: Ederson – 6. Almost caught out when dallying on the ball but Smith Rowe’s block creeped just past the post. Only real defensive moment of note for the Brazilian who started the move for City's third goal. Getty
Kyle Walker – 7. An alert early interception set the tone for an assured performance. Replaced at half time. Getty
Ruben Dias – 8. About as straightforward a match as he’ll play all season. Typically composed on the rare occasion he was called upon and comfortable in possession. Reuters
Aymeric Laporte – 8. Like his centre-back partner, the Spain international didn’t need to leave first gear. Tried desperately to get himself on the scoresheet to no avail. Getty
Joao Cancelo – 8. Played first half on the left before switching to the right. Regardless of flank, the Portuguese full-back was a constant menace. AFP
Bernardo Silva – 7. Played the pass for Torres’ first goal even if he had Soares to thank for the ball finding its destination. Played his part in helping City dominate the midfield. Replaced by Sterling. Reuters
Rodri – 8. The Spaniard was already dominating the midfield before Xhaka’s red card made his job even easier. Finished off a wonderful team move with a fine finish for City’s fourth. Reuters
Ilkay Gundogan – 9. Got his first goal of the season with close-range header and generally ran the show for City. His work on the edge of the opposition area was key in disrupting Arsenal’s defensive structure. Getty
Gabriel Jesus – 8. Set up the first and scored the third to continue his fine start to the season. His excellent cross found Gundogan for the opener and he tapped in for City’s third. Arsenal just couldn’t contain the Brazilian. Swapped on the hour. Getty
Jack Grealish – 7. Lovely footwork and pass to set up Jesus for City’s third. Brimming with confidence and already making his mark since his British record move. Getty
Ferran Torres – 9. Won’t score an easier goal than his first and City’s second. Played a key role in City’s third by driving the ball up the pitch. Laid on the final pass for Rodri’s goal and grabbed his second with a fine header. Could the Spaniard be City’s answer to their No 9 issue? Getty
SUBS: Oleksandr Zinchenko (45’) – 6. Introduced at half-time and played as an additional winger. Didn’t really impact the game all that much. Getty
Raheem Sterling (58’) – 6. Had numerous chances to add to City’s tally but couldn’t find the finish. AFP
Riyad Mahrez (61’) – 7. Delivered a pinpoint cross for Torres’ second. Getty
ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Bernd Leno – 6. Had little chance with any of the goals and produced several good saves to avoid a cricket score. Reuters
Cedric Soares – 3. Shambolic defending for City’s second as the ball skipped through him for Torres to tap home. A poor outing. Reuters
Calum Chambers – 3. Got positioning all wrong for City’s opener as Gundogan headed home and made a feeble attempt to stand up Grealish as the English midfielder waltzed into the Arsenal area to set up Jesus. In between those, went down too easily when he was struck in the face during the move for City’s second. AFP
Rob Holding – 6. The one Arsenal defender to emerge with any credit. Produced some good last ditch defending and several blocks inside the area. Lost Torres for City’s fifth but he was out on his feet at that point. Getty
Sead Kolasinac – 4. Given his first Premier League start in 11 months, the Bosnian was given a torrid time by City’s relentless attacking players. AFP
Kieran Tierney – 5. Deployed as a wing-back but in reality, played as a defensive full-back. Rarely got forward as City pinned back Arsenal. EPA
Bukayo Saka – 5. Not in the game and replaced at the break in a tactical switch in response to Xhaka’s red card. Getty
Martin Odegaard – 4. The Norwegian will have much better days but was left chasing shadows as City dominated. Getty
Emile Smith Rowe – 6. Full of running and pressing during the early exchanges and was the only Arsenal player with any attacking ambition. But his impact was limited as Arsenal sat deep. Getty
Granit Xhaka – 1. Overrun in midfield for 35 minutes before a studs-up challenge on Cancelo saw the Swiss receive his marching orders. Arsenal already had a mountain to climb prior to his dismissal and his reckless tackle made it even tougher. Getty
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 2. Starved of service as a striker but as a captain, hardly led by example. No intensity and no leadership. Replaced by Lacazette in the second half. AP
SUBS: Mohamed Elneny (45’) – 6. Sent on for the second half to help limit the damage. Didn’t do badly but couldn’t prevent City from continuing their onslaught. AP
Alexandre Lacazette (59’) – 5. Spent more time in his own half than the opposition’s as Arsenal struggled to get any control of the ball. Getty
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (71) – 5. Given a thankless task of being introduced with Arsenal 4-0 down. Getty
“I would also like to thank Pep [Guardiola] and the coaching staff for the way they have helped me to develop as a player and keep pushing me to improve.
“To be part of the squad that achieved so much last season was incredible and made us all hungry to achieve even more. Now I just want to try and play my part in helping us be successful this season and beyond.”