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Player Ratings: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City

On a bright spring Sunday afternoon, Arsenal defied their poor league form with a tenacious and dogged display against their Premier League rivals Manchester City. In a semi-final of the English heavyweights, the Gunners displayed a level of grit that fans have long been yearning for with a number of star performances across the park.

Here are the player ratings…

Petr Cech: 7.5/10 

Though the big Czech was rarely tested during the game, he produced a world-class save to deny Toure’s bending effort, keeping Arsenal in the cup tie. He could do little to stop Aguero’s deft finish and had a solid game between the sticks.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 10/10

The Ox caused Gael Clichy and City all sorts of problems with his pace and strength down the flanks. Was no passenger in defence either, with a number of headers and duals won with Leroy Sane.

Gabriel: 9/10

Initially lost his position allowing the diminutive David Silva a free header in the area, from there-on, he was Arsenal’s best defender. A phenomenal display from the back three, probably the best overall from an Arsenal defensive unit for quite some time. 

Laurent Koscielny: 8.5/10 

The Arsenal captain was imperious at the back for his team, consistently breaking up attacks and defending on the front foot – he was superb.

Rob Holding: 9/10

Continuing to defy his age, Holding exudes class and maturity. He was brilliant in 1v1 situations and barely put a foot wrong all game. Just a reminder to everyone, he cost just two million…two. 

 

Nacho Monreal 9/10

In a poor first-half, he was Arsenal’s shining light. Though he lacked support at times down the flanks he did a great job in nullifying the pace of Jesus Navas. As always, showed great passion and this showed, popping up with the all-important equaliser.

Granit Xhaka: 8/10

In the first-half, like the rest of the team, Xhaka was poor. He grew into the game, however, and endeared himself to the Gunners faithful with a display of passion seldom witnessed with the current squad, screaming at the fans to get them going. A proper grit and determined performance from the midfield man.

Aaron Ramsey: 8/10 

In a game lacking in real quality, it was application and effort that turned the game in the Gunners’ favour. In this regard, Ramsey was the driving force, popping up in positions all over the pitch to maintain Arsenal’s workrate. A performance full of desire.

Mesut Ozil: 7.5/10

Considering the team performance this may seem harsh, but it just isn’t happening for the mercurial German at the moment. He constantly looked for the ball and did not let his head drop, however, the quality we are so used to seeing was not there, a hard working performance but one that lacked quality.

Alexis Sanchez: 8/10

In truth, he was probably Arsenal’s worst player on the day. He gave the ball away countless times and continues his poor form, however as often appears to be the case, he came up with the winner. On several occasions the Arsenal players found themselves in the box with a great chance to score, however when it fell to Sanchez, there was only going to be one result.

Olivier Giroud: 7/10

A constant thorn in Manchester City’s side all afternoon. He used his power and his size to great effect in the game, and gave Otamendi and Kompany something to think about all game. He showed his worth for Arsenal, and demonstrated his importance in what could be a productive system for the Gunners.

Substitutes:

Danny Welbeck: 7/10

The England international provided Arsenal with a different dynamic after coming off the bench. He ran and ran and ran, working the channels well. Had it not been for some poor decision making and a bad miss in extra time, the game could have been settled much earlier.

Hector Bellerin: N/A

Francis Coquelin: N/A

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