Aaron Ramsey admits victory over Manchester City was vital for Arsenal

The Gunners beat the champions 2-0

Aaron Ramsey hopes Arsenal can enjoy a strong second half of the season after they consigned Manchester City to a 2-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Gunners, who beat City to lift the Community Shield in August and drew against Manuel Pellegrini's men at the Emirates a month later, thoroughly deserved all three points and the margin of victory could have been greater.

Santi Cazorla put the Gunners ahead from the penalty spot in the first half after City skipper Vincent Kompany fouled Nacho Monreal in the area, and Olivier Giroud doubled their advantage midway through the second period with a deft header.

The victory for Arsene Wenger's side saw them leapfrog north London rivals Tottenham into fifth place and close to within a point of fourth-placed Manchester United and Ramsey hopes the Gunners can finish the season with a flourish.

"Everybody else won on the weekend so it was important for us to get the win as well, which we did," he told Sky Sports 1.

"Hopefully we can build on this and have a good second half of the season.

"We're still in the Champions League, the FA Cup and still got a long way to go in the league so we're in a good place and we're all behind each other and hopefully we can kick on now."

PA