Arsenal player Ratings vs Manchester City
Manchester City out-thought, out-classed and out-witted Arsenal today and did what they do best when on song. At the end it was a complete rout given City’s six goals past the Premier League leaders Arsenal, which takes them just three points adrift of the Gunners in the table. The Citizens emphatically highlighted their Championship winning credentials as put the Gunners by the sword with a display that would have beaten majority of sides in the Football Fraternity. Arsenal, to their credit tried to be as competitive as they could but in the end it was a reality check for the Gunners, ending their disastrous week, now having gone three games without a win in all competitions.
Here are the Arsenal player ratings from the encounter that was played out in a chilly Etihad Stadium.
Wojciech Szczesny:
Could hardly be blamed for the goals except the penalty which he gave away rather too easily. Leaving that aside, he was left exposed by the shambolic defence in front of him. To sum it up, you wouldn’t want to be a Goalkeeper when City are in the mood.
Rating: 2/5
Bacary Sagna:
Tried to barge forward whenever possible, put in a determined shift, but to no avail. Produced a brilliant cross from which Giroud should have scored when it was still 2-1.
Rating: 2.5/5
Laurent Koscielny:
Was troubled a great deal by Negredo and Aguero both, couldn’t come to grips of the City attacking line. Had to be taken off later albeit a worrying knee injury.
Rating: 2/5
Per Mertesacker:
Decent game. Did get into the score sheet later, but it was a little too late.
Rating: 3/5
Nacho Monreal:
Why was he on the pitch? He was given an absolute torrid time by Nasri, Negredo and others on the left and was time and again Arsenal’s weakest link on the pitch.
Rating: 1/5
Mathieu Flamini:
Average game for the midfield enforcer. Completed most of his passes and put in a determined performance but it was far too less when coming up against the dynamism and free flowing style of both Yaya Toure and Fernandinho.
Rating: 2/5
Jack Wilshere:
Perhaps this would be one of those matches, he would want to forget as he contributed very little on the pitch. Was left casting a disgruntled figure at the end and lost his temper and cool more often than not.
Rating: 1.5/5
Mesut Ozil:
You would expect much, much more from your record signing, yet Ozil gave very little and looked too weary at times. He did manage to provide an assist fro Walcott, but then again he should have been more involved than he was.
Rating: 2/5
Aaron Ramsey:
There are growing signs that his dip in form has almost started. The Welshman had shackles in front of him, found very little space for himself. However he did find enough space to lay Walcott for the latter’s wonderful second strike past Costel Pantilimon in the City goal.
Rating: 2/5
Theo Walcott:
Was Arsenal’s best player on the pitch by a mile. Scored two goals, second of which was an absolute stunner. A fine performance from the Englishman overall, but in a losing cause.
Rating: 4/5
Oliver Giroud:
Missed two clear chances and lacked sharpness overall. Was troubled by the presence of Demichelis and Kompany and should have done much better than what he actually did on the pitch.
Rating: 1.5/5
Wenger’s Post match interview,