Arsenal vs Man City Player Ratings

Arsenal

Lukasz Fabianski - 5

Had no worries in goal at all.

Laurent Koscielny - 6

Probably one of the most under-worked players on the pitch, along with Johan Djourou. Kept the high balls out.

Johan Djourou  - 6.5

Stuck to Tevez like a limpet and made sure the striker was kept on his toes at all times. Not his busiest night either.

Gaël Clichy - 7

The Frenchman put in one of his better defensive displays of the season. Not that he had much to do, but did press play the likes of James Milner and later Adam Johnson very well.

Bacary Sagna - 7.5

Linked up well with Walcott and put in some decent crosses. Sent off after a silly altercation with Zabaleta.

Alex Song - 7

Did what Yaya Toure did for City i.e. some great runs right through the heart of the opposition - but just could not land the killer blow. Solid in defence.

Jack Wilshere (off 82') - 5

Played very well actually, but was guilty of missing some of the best Arsenal chances - once when he should have squared the ball to van Persie and second when he scuffed his shot right in front of goal.

Samir Nasri - 5

Not as heavily involved in the game as he is when playing through the centre. Had to contend with waves of blue shirts every time he got the ball and just couldn't find his way through.

Theo Walcott (off 69') - 5.5

Got into some good areas on the right, but failed to carve any clear opportunities for himself - largely because of some good defending by Pablo Zabaleta.

Cesc Fábregas - 7.5

Started off with trademark panache in midfield - pulling the strings with ease and making it seem as if Arsenal would simply wipe the floor with City. His effectiveness dwindled as City found their defensive feet.

Robin Van Persie - 8

Probably enjoyed one of his best game for the Gunners this season. Was involved in almost every potent Arsenal attack and could have had a couple had it not been for Joe Hart and the upright.

Subs

Andrei Arshavin (on 69') - 4

Poor. Offered far less than Walcott did.

Nicklas Bendtner (on 82') - n.a

Manchester City

Joe Hart - 7.5

Kept his side in the game with some assured keeping. One save off a van Persie pile-driver was particularly eye-catching.

Vincent Kompany - 7

Another steady performance by one of City's best players this season. Broke up the intricate Arsenal play time and again, frustrating the Gunners no end.

Kolo Touré - 7.5

Was good with balls in the box, sliding in to stop them finding Arsenal players and picking out the tricky Gunners' runs almost every single time.

Pablo Zabaleta - 7

Had had a great game until a very strange sending-off. Nonetheless, he controlled Walcott for large parts of the game - making sure the winger did not get too many chances to get his crosses in.

Micah Richards - 7

Was the most pro-active of the City defenders, closing down any Arsenal player in his zone - forcing them to go back. Made some powerful runs down the flanks as well.

Nigel De Jong - 6.5

Looked like he was caught in a tornado early on, such was the pace of Arsenal's passing. But creditably, he settled down very well and did not allow Arsenal to dominate the midfield exchanges like they had done early in the match.

Gareth Barry - 7.5

Put in a good, hard defensive shift - doing exactly what was asked of him by Roberto Mancini.

Yaya Touré - 7

The most dangerous City player on the pitch. Unlike the rest of his side, was not afraid to run at Arsenal and really stretch the defenders. A couple of lung-busting runs could really have hurt the Gunners.

James Milner  - 5

Good defensive work, almost nothing going forward.

Carlos Tévez (off 90')- 7

Was isolated up front most of the game and tried his level best to drop back in order to win the ball. Unfortunately for the Argentinean, he rarely had any teammate ahead of him to pass it to.

Jô (off 65') - 2

Completely ineffective.

Subs

Adam Johnson (on 65') - 5

Didn't see much of the ball

Jerome Boateng (on 90') - n.a