The entire first team were subject to comedy scrutiny on social media when they walked out for the Premier League fixture with an over-the-top tribute to their team-mate.
Manchester City's attempt to pay tribute to injured midfielder Ilkay Gundogan backfired spectacularly on Sunday ahead of their clash with Arsenal.
The entire first team wore shirts with Gundogan's name printed on the front in solidarity with the German, who faces another long spell on the sidelines with a knee ligament injury.
But Twitter quickly poured mockery on the incident, questioning why Pep Guardiola's men were acting like he'd passed away - with some even questioning if he'd actually died (he hasn't).
Bit weird pic.twitter.com/63NtdfPxsX
— Sam Lee (@Sammy_Goal) December 18, 2016
When did Gundogan die?
— Adam McKola (@AdamMcKola) December 18, 2016
To be fair is probably the best way to remember Gundogan now he's dead
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) December 18, 2016
When your mate can't go out with the lads because he promised his girlfriend he'd take her to see some awful romcom #Gundogan #MCFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/DVAX0P73b0
— Adam Higgins (@Adam_Higgins27) December 18, 2016
Why are city wearing Gundogan shirts? I didn't wear a shirt saying "Nan" when she broke her leg
— J. (@HoiIett) December 18, 2016
RIP Gundogan. I can't believe this has happened. I want to run to you. @
— 1886 (@1886_blog) December 18, 2016
I respect the Gundogan shirts but he's not dead @ManCity
— ㅤ (@KelechiNacho) December 18, 2016
R.I.P Gundogan Some leave us (injured) too soon! Thoughts go out to his family and friends
— Mathias Mo (@mathias_mo) December 18, 2016
City supporting Gundogan through his injury reminds me of the time when we wore shirts when Evra lied about him been Racist #cringe pic.twitter.com/InkY6xwZWf
— Dean (@DeanCoombes) December 18, 2016
Gundogan didn't die for this
— Everything City (@Everything_City) December 18, 2016
The Man City team have publicly destroyed Gundogan. Not like his injury was bad enough anyway.
— WIN GALAXY S7 NOW!!! (@giveawayzutton) December 18, 2016
What's with the Gundogan shirts ? A footballer hurt his knee playing football ffs. Half expected a minute silence
— Steve Barry (@SteveBarry8) December 18, 2016
How cringe are city with those Gundogan shirts
— Brookesy (@Brookesyy_) December 18, 2016
R.I.P Ilkay Gündogan 1990 - 2016 When will 2016 stop taking so many good people from us? pic.twitter.com/Gj0SWXLlTm
— (@Philswagielka) December 18, 2016
Gundogan is ALWAYS injured. Why're they wearing his shirts in the tunnel? Like Arsenal doing that every single time Wilshere got injured.
— CLBrosnan93 (@CLBrosnan93) December 18, 2016
What do you make of the Gundogan shirts? Are they a touch of class or an ill-conceived tribute?