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Arsenal had a great day yesterday, winning at the home of the champions for the first time since 2002 .
Just about every player has come in for individual praise following the 2-0 win over Manchester City - Santi Cazorla for his box-to-box endeavours, Francis Coquelin for showing the Gunners may already have the defensive midfielder they so desperately need and Olivier Giroud for leading the ruthless attack.
But Per Mertesacker, a player recently compared to a rhinoceros , needs a shout as well. Not just for playing his role in a defensive display not seen from Arsenal in years, but for pulling off some moves that even Lionel Messi would be proud.
Show all 22 1 /22Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Joe Hart England man was left exposed for both goals as his defence endured a torrid afternoon. Almost stopped penalty. Let off when Ramsey blazed over.6
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Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Pablo Zabaleta Quick to snuff out Sanchez before the break but afforded little opportunity to break forward. Probably the least culpable of City’s defenders.6
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Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Vincent Kompany First game for a month and it showed. Left himself liable to be punished when pushing into Monreal for penalty. Made couple of important blocks.5
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Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Martin Demichelis Regressed to form of his early City career, making couple of bad mistakes in first half to twice let in Sanchez. Lack of pace highlighted alarmingly.5
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Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Gaël Clichy Former Arsenal favourite has enjoyed a prosperous New Year in advanced role in recent games but made next to no impact against former side.5
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Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Fernandinho Flattened by Koscielny in opening minutes and that seemed to play on his mind. One or two surging runs before being taken off for Lampard.5
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Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Fernando Was nowhere to be seen as Giroud enjoyed freedom to head home Cazorla free-kick and secure the points. Had no answer to mastery of Cazorla.5
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Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Jesus Navas Policed well by Bellerin and let himself down with final decision at times. Did trouble Ospina with one shot and another cross almost found Aguero.6
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Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings David Silva Drifted across the midfield behind Aguero without being able to find the way through. Kept ball well but it mostly came to nothing.6
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Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings James Milner Jack of all trades but master of none? Used as an emergency striker in recent weeks and had forward role here but had little impact on proceedings.6
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Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Sergio Aguero First start in six weeks and lack of sharpness painfully clear. Improved a little after break but overall made very fitful impact, needs time to find form again.5
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Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings David Ospina Colombian kept place ahead and rewarded his manager’s faith with a third clean sheet on the bounce. Good stop from Navas but not tested greatly.6
Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Hector Bellerin Replaced the again-injured Mathieu Debuchy and stood up to task well. Did not allow himself to be overawed and diffused threat of pacy Navas.7
Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Per Mertesacker One of his better displays, standing up well to City’s attacks and helping unite a changed Gunners defence. Kept Aguero threat to a minimum.7
Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Laurent Koscielny Entered referee’s book in the early exchanges after steaming into Fernandinho. Or was it Fernando? Made key block on cross intended for Aguero.7
Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Nacho Monreal Surprise pick ahead of Gibbs but Wenger’s gamble paid off and then some. Made the most of Kompany’s lunge to win early penalty to set up the victory.7
Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Francis Coquelin Frenchman remained disciplined, screening in front of an unfamiliar defence. Also not afraid to ball up his colleagues on occasion.8
Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Enjoyed sporadic spells in possession on right as City controlled ball. One cross set up Giroud but let down by poor decision making at times.6
Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Aaron Ramsey Lively on first appearance since 9 December but showed some rustiness, blazing over the bar when played through by Giroud. Booked for a cynical trip.6
Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Santi Cazorla Continued fine recent form, opening the scoring from the spot for his fifth in nine games. Faded late on but provided cross for Giroud’s clincher.8
Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Alexis Sanchez Made a few penetrating runs and always offered a threat but unable to influence game as much as in recent weeks. Trickery troubled Demichelis. 7
Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 player ratings Olivier Giroud Impressed with link-up but final ball not up to scratch. Header cleared by Kompany before being allowed acres of space for the all-important second goal.6
With his team 1-0 up after Cazorla's penalty, the World Cup winner performed a dummy before sending a couple of Manchester City players the wrong way with a deceptive turn.
Just another moment for Arsenal fans to savour after a very good weekend.
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