Arsenal vs Manchester City: Player Ratings

A pulsating 2-2 draw at the Emirates saw Arsenal split the points with the champions. Here are your player ratings:

Szczesny: 7.3

Very little to be done about either of the goals. Got down well to keep City shots out in the first half and saved more than a couple dangerous low crosses in the second.

Debuchy: 7.4

Did well for the most part, though got himself into a bit of trouble a couple times when relying on speed. The story from this one will be the injury, which looks extremely serious.

Mertesacker: 7.2

Positioned himself well, but lack of pace was exposed a couple times leading to dangerous opportunities. A steady hand at centre-back and a welcome inclusion in the side against the top squads.

Koscielny: 7.6

Partnered Mertesacker well as usual. Has a tendency for keeping the best forwards in the world in his pocket and today was little different. So difficult to turn Koscielny, and his intelligence in the box is special.

Monreal: 7.1

In our last player ratings, I said Monreal was a worthy backup to Gibbs. It should be remembered that a backup is exactly what he is, however. He’ll run for ages and get forward well, but his heading and occasional lack of decisiveness can open doors on the right.

Flamini: 6.8

The brunt of the fault for the first goal lies with Flamini, who held up at the edge of the box instead of marking Aguero to the ball. Brings steel to the Arsenal defence, but lacks the shielding ability and distribution of Mikel Arteta.

Wilshere: 9.4- MAN OF THE MATCH

Targeted early and often, he was on the receiving end of numerous physical challenges. Drove beautifully from deep, combined well with his attacking fellows, and a sumptuous finish to equalize. Deserving of the highest rating delivered by Pain in the Arsenal this year.

Ramsey: 7.5

Deserves plaudits for spotting Wilshere in the box for the first goal. His long balls are lacking their efficiency from last season, though even on a rough day at the office, he’s still not a bad option. Inches away from notching Arsenal a third from a sensational Wilshere ball.

Ozil: 7.0

Questions will continue to be asked of Mesut Ozil and rightly so. Even for a player whose effect must be looked at outside of statistics, he’s not all there. Still garners a good deal of attention from defenders when he’s in dangerous areas, and that opens channels for his teammates to exploit. Needs to be deployed through the middle to get his best from him.

Alexis: 8.8

Alexis is, quite simply, the player every manager dreams of having on their front line. Fast, skilled on the ball, and brutally tenacious. There’s the feeling that his best is yet to come, which is a terrifying prospect. Wonderfully struck goal, picking it out of the air from Wilshere’s header.

Welbeck: 7.8

Very nearly a dream start for Welbeck, pouncing on a City miscue to chip it beautifully over Hart and be denied by the post. He’s big and physical like Giroud, but is able to play as a part of the front line instead of a pivot. Very nearly hit the winner after a quick recovery from a cramp.

Chambers: 7.5

Came on for the injured Debuchy and showed he can get forward as well. May be kept at RB but there’s more reason to leave him as CB cover and let Bellerin stretch his legs in lower key fixtures.

Oxlade-Chamberlain: 7.4

Seemed like he was headed on for Ozil (a switch that could have been made sooner) before Welbeck went down with a cramp. Came on in the closing stages, but both teams seemed content enough with the draw by that point.

Arteta: n/a

Not long on enough to rate.

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