Premier League Player Ratings: Arsenal vs Manchester City – Part 1
Arsenal took on Manchester City in a 2nd vs 3rd in the table match. Arsenal looked to build upon on their recent good form while Manchester City, who were missing David Silva, looked to match Manchester United stride to stride.
In a captivating encounter which ended goal less, there were plenty of standout performances. We analyse the performance of Arsenal players here in part 1.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukasz-Fabianski-c22910: 6.0
An extremely quiet evening for Arsenal's new No1; apart from watching a couple of Carlos Tevez strikes fly close by, he was reduced to watching the game as a virtual spectator. Taking a few goal-kicks was the highlight of his game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bacary-Sagna-c7148: 5.5
Bombed down the right flank at every opportunity and dealt capably with, first, Jo and then, Johnson. Sent off in stoppage time following a row with Zabaleta caused by a little push by the Argentine.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Johan-Djourou-c18779: 7.0
Wenger heaped praise on his young centre back and he responded with a polished display, even though his positioning was occasionally wayward. Held his own against Tevez and didn’t allow the effervescent Argentine to settle down all game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Laurent-Koscielny-c21742: 6.5
He has struggled against the top class opponents in his debut season but looked rather composed and authoritative against Tevez and co. Kept his head low and went about his business all game long.
Gael Clichy: 6.0
Solid enough in defence and did not get caught out of position, but offered little going forward. Lacked the kind of runs down the left flank we have come to expect from the speedy Frenchman, but otherwise tidy in possession.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Wilshere-c17463: 7.0
Set the tempo for a brilliant opening period with some fabulously weighted passes and excellent runs from deep midfield. The recently turned 19 year old was found guilty of being a little wasteful and overly unselfish in front of goal. He faded in the second
half. Missed a good chance when put through by his captain inside the 18-yard box.
Cesc Fabregas: 7.0
He was the main link between midfield and attack throughout the game with his touch, vision and intricate passing. A true leader and showed why he will fit into the Barcelona team with ease if the opportunity arises. But even the Spanish maestro had run
out of ideas by the final whistle.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-Song-c4804 Billong: 7.5
A highly reliable protection in front of the back four for Arsenal this season, the Cameroonian also surged forward at every opportunity supporting the likes of Nasri and Fabregas. He was consistent in his passing and read the game extremely well. Barely
put a foot wrong all game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873: 7.5
Speed, Speed, Speed! This is what he was about against City. This youngster has proved to be a thrilling outlet down the right flank for the North London outfit. His form has forced Wenger to put Arshavin on the bench. Walcott looked hungry for a goal and
showed great purpose when in possession. Hit the crossbar from a Fabregas rebound but was found offside. A touch unfortunate to be sacrificed to make way for Arshavin, with 21 minutes to go.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360: 6.5
The French wizard has set such high standards that an average performance seems very alien and uncharacteristic. He was neat and tidy in possession and didn’t put a foot wrong without being at his incisive best. He was willing to have shot from distance
but did not get behind the City defence often enough.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380: 7.5
Spear-headed the Arsenal attack. Wenger promised that the Dutchman would come out of his injury shadow and would go back to his best; he looked livelier and more effective last night since his comeback. He had his shooting boots on as he hit the post and
had another thunderbolt tipped over the bar by the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 No.1.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrei-Arshavin-c5771: 6.0
Came on for the evergreen Walcott but he too could make little impact as the City defence came well prepared for an onslaught. He made some jinxing runs but, eventually, he too failed to inspire the Gunners to all three points.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nicklas-Bendtner-c27726: N/A
Replaced Wilshere with nine minutes to go and had little impact on the game.
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