Manchester City vs Arsenal Player Ratings

Arsenal and Manchester City played out a magnificent third place playoff filled with goals at the Etihad. Here are Pain In the Arsenal’s Player Ratings.

A lateral meniscus injury to Arsenal’s English forward Danny Welbeck overshadowed events at the Etihad stadium on Sunday, where two top-four sides contested over a place in the 2016/17 Champions League.

The fixture’s hosts took the lead twice during the game, once in each half, but they were twice pegged back by Arsenal. The game ended with a cagey final ten minutes, and the 2-2 result was representative of each team’s performance in that once the game was in the balance, neither team looked like winning it.

Sergio Aguero was the outstanding performer for the hosts, the Argentine was a trouble to Arsenal’s defense throughout the ninety minutes when running at them with the ball.

Kevin De Bruyne was another player who performed at a high level on the day. The Belgian attacking midfielder scored a goal and played plenty of key passes during the game. Perhaps if he had played in the middle directly behind Aguero, the two could have worked better together.

6.5. Another mediocre performance from the Czech shot-stopper, which included allowing a goal from Kevin de Bruyne to sneak through at his near post that really should have been saved. Made a few decent snap saves to block some daisy-cutter crosses, but other than that he was average.. GK. Arsenal FC. PETR CECH

7.3. Bellerin was very active running up and down the right, and he was able to lead some Arsenal breaks as well as make some defensive challenges that stopped goal scoring opportunities. City attacked Monreal far more during their phase of pressure in the opening 45, but Bellerin used that to his advantage and made a nuisance of himself.. RB. Arsenal FC. HECTOR BELLERIN

Nearly gave away a penalty to KDB, as well as allowing a shot away without much effort to stop it against the Belgian playmaker. Blocked a few shots and made a few good tackles, but still needs to prove himself in a big Premier League fixture as a top defender – he’s not just yet.. CB. Arsenal FC. GABRIEL PAULISTA. 6.7

6.9. Gave the crucial space away to Sergio Aguero for the first goal, but had a decent performance from then on. The Frenchman was aerially commanding during periods of the game, but Arsenal will be wishing that Bosscielny played the role of boss a little more.. CB. Arsenal FC. LAURENT KOSCIELNY

NACHO MONREAL. 6.7. Looked vulnerable throughout the first 45 minutes, unable to deal with the pace of Jesus Navas. In the second 45 he improved, but the game opened up more and he could have provided more of a threat on the offensive end.. LB. Arsenal FC

7.0. Aaron Ramsey had a better game than he has had in the past in terms of not giving away the ball very much and winning it back, but he made the Arsenal midfield look a little one-dimensional partnered with Mo El Neny. More physicality would be useful in big games like this, and even though it was a solid performance from the Welshman for periods of the game he was somewhat useless.. MID. Arsenal FC. AARON RAMSEY

6.6. Provided the assist to Olivier Giroud for the first Arsenal goal, but didn’t have a huge impact on the City players playing as a DM, and was thus ineffective. Brought off for Coquelin, who arguably should have started the game.. MID. Arsenal FC. MOHAMED EL NENY

8.3. Harried the City players all afternoon and didn’t let up when his team conceded goals. Alexis came into the game much more in the second half and ended up scoring another equalizer in an away tie versus a big team. Made some great dribbles and managed to score with his only chance, a great showing.. MID. Arsenal FC. ALEXIS SANCHEZ

5.7. The young Nigerian looked a little nervous on the day. Playing in the center of the park is never easy against Fernando and Fernandinho and Iwobi looked beaten up when he came off for Theo Walcott with half an hour to go. Didn’t do a whole lot on the attacking end today, and also didn’t close down very effectively.. MID. Arsenal FC. ALEX IWOBI

6.3. Didn’t have much chance to put his stamp on the game, as he got injured with less than half an hour on the clock. Wishing him a speedy recovery, and hoping with everything that he isn’t out for another lengthy period.. MID. Arsenal FC. DANNY WELBECK

Involved in both goals for Arsenal, providing an excellent assist for Alexis in the second half to level the game at 2-2. His first half header past Joe Hart was something that could’ve been his only impact on the game, but he worked the City center backs well and won plenty of challenges with them. Solid performance from the Frenchman, in a year where he hasn’t been any good in nearly four months.. ST. Arsenal FC. OLIVIER GIROUD. 8.0

Missed a few chances from very close in, and didn’t do anything on the defensive end to help his cause. Unlike most of his teammates whose form dropped this year, Walcott hasn’t improved AT ALL. #WalcottOut. #ByeTheo.. SUB. Arsenal FC. THEO WALCOTT. 6.0

-. Didn’t get enough minutes on the pitch to have much influence or get himself a rating, but was solid for a nervy final ten minutes and didn’t make any mistakes.. SUB. Arsenal FC. FRANCIS COQUELIN

7.0. Jack Wilshere looked 100% fit when he came on in the 28th minute, and was skipping over challenges and diving into 50-50’s like he hadn’t been gone at all. If he can build on this, great. If this is all we get, though, let the boy go.. SUB. Arsenal FC. JACK WILSHERE