Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal Vs Manchester City: Player ratings – Holy ****

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Arsenal (Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal (Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 18: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrate with his teammates Dani Ceballos, Granit Xhaka, Alexandre Lacazette after scoring 1st goal during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on July 18, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 18: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrate with his teammates Dani Ceballos, Granit Xhaka, Alexandre Lacazette after scoring 1st goal during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on July 18, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /

Central Midfield

CM. Arsenal. GRANIT XHAKA. 8.5. Granit Xhaka has been a problem for Arsenal in the past. Slow, poor on the ball, hiding in midfield, and a liability defensively. Not here. This is what Xhaka is at his very best. Positionally outstanding, aware of everything around him, composed when playing out from the back, and the anchor of the team. He and Ceballos got through some serious work without the ball and then played forward when they got the opportunity with the ball. Excellent.

CM. Arsenal. DANI CEBALLOS. 8.0. Had a similarly positive impact defensively. Made several excellent tackles to stem City attacks. Was also the best of the Arsenal players in possession bar Lacazette. He was brave enough to demand the ball in the first half and help move the play up the pitch and then played simply in the second half. His rating is only slightly lower due to a few loose turnovers.