These are the Arsenal player ratings for the Premier League game against Manchester City, as voted for by you, the fans using our Player Rater.
Petr Cech – 7.4
Cech was exactly what we all hoped for in this game. A calm and confident presence that echoed maturity throughout the defence.
Hector Bellerin – 7.3
Bellerin had been far from his best in the last few games but he found some form again for this one. Excellent desire and pace to always be one step ahead of the City attackers.
Per Mertesacker – 7.7
Much improved performance from Mertesacker. Positioned himself excellently to deny Kevin de Bruyne from putting City ahead, moments before Theo Walcott gave Arsenal the lead.
Laurent Koscielny – 7.9
Koscielny was superb and once again kept Sergio Aguero quiet. The Argentinian couldn’t get into the game due to Laurent’s aggressive front-foot defending. A brave approach but it worked.
Nacho Monreal – 7.6
One of Arsenal’s most consistent players continued to be just that. But on Monday I felt Monreal went beyond consistent and deserves a higher rating. He was superb, faultless and played like a warrior.
Mathieu Flamini – 7.3
Flamini, much to many people’s confusion, has not yet done much wrong since coming into the side. He’s proving he is actually an adequate midfield option. Shutting off David Silva was key to winning this game and the Frenchman did just that.
Aaron Ramsey – 6.9
I think this is a harsh rating for Ramsey. He should have scored twice – but it’s his presence everywhere on the pitch that makes me happy. His finishing will come, he’s scored in the last couple of games. So long as he continues to be in the right place, I’m sure he’ll hit another purple patch.
Joel Campbell – 7.2
Much like Ramsey, Campbell worked really hard and got into some great goalscoring opportunities but he couldn’t score. Another encouraging performance from the Costa Rican, but he no doubt needs to polish up some areas of his game.
Mesut Ozil – 9.0 (Man of the Match)
Arsenal’s man of the match – again. Ozil assisted both goals and controlled the game, outshining Silva in the process. He is now on 15 league assists, just 5 short of Thierry Henry’s record and we’re not even halfway through the season. At this rate he’ll hit 30! Fingers crossed he keeps fit.
Theo Walcott – 8.1
Walcott scored the opener and it was some goal. A curling right foot effort helped justify Arsene Wenger’s decision to play Walcott on the left. What impressed me also was Walcott’s desire to come back and defend, even at the very end of the game.
Olivier Giroud – 8.1
A powerful thorn in City’s back-line. A well-timed run complimented by a drilled finish was gave Giroud another goal. He’s playing very well at the moment and can’t stop scoring. Fair play to to him, considering all the criticism he has got – even from his own fans.
Subs
Kieran Gibbs (on for Campbell 71′) – 5.8
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (on for Ozil 76′) – 5.8
Calum Chambers (on for Walcott 88′) – 6.0