LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 18: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrate with his teammate Kieran Tierney after scoring 1st goal during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on July 18, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Centre-Backs
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He is a very lucky boy. From the moment he attempted to dribble around Raheem Sterling in his own penalty area and nearly handed City an early lead, it seemed like it would be a difficult day for the German. So it proved. His passing was slow, he panicked in possession, he gave away silly fouls, and he was fortunate to not concede a penalty when diving in on Sterling. Contrast his performance to Tierney and you can see the difference between what a wide centre-back should do and what Mustafi does instead. He did make some important aerial clearances from City’s bombardment of crosses.
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Vindication. David Luiz’s worst nightmares came to life last time he played Manchester City. On this occasion, he proved exactly why Arsenal were right to hand him another year. Playing in the heart of the back three, he was never pulled out of position, met every cross, cleared every pass, blocked every shot. Luiz was the bedrock of the stupendous defensive performance. Total redemption for what came before.
MAN OF THE MATCH: What more can you say about this man? Playing at centre-back, he was perfectly positioned throughout. Made several crucial interventions, tackled smartly and intercepted passes. He and Maitland-Niles handled Riyad Mahrez relatively well, while Tierney was often the man to play more difficult passes into the middle and final thirds to instigate counter-attacks. He played the crucial role in both goals, feeding Lacazette for the first and then Pepe and an assist for Aubameyang for the second. He typified Arsenal’s spirit, work-rate, concentration, and quality. Brilliant.
Arsenal%c2%a0fought brilliantly to upset the FA Cup champions, Manchester City, to secure their place in the final. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice on the counter-attack, while Mikel Arteta’s defensive work on the training ground was clear to see as a disciplined and well-drilled defence repelled the waves of City attacks with relative comfort. It was a superb performance that now gives the Gunners the chance of a trophy and route into Europe.</p>
<div class="embed "><iframe loading="lazy" width="100%" height="232" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" allow="encrypted-media" title="Spotify Embed: Pain in the Arsenal Podcast on Arsenal FC" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/show/548157RggI832QOVRTQljh?go=1&utm_source=embed_v3&t=0&nd=1%22>
<p>Here are the player ratings from <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53419787">the brilliant 2-0 victory</a>.</p>
<div id="attachment_103690" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103690" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1227683287-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Arsenal’s Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (R) saves from Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder David Silva (L) during the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London, on July 18, 2020. (Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS / POOL / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Goalkeeper</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="8.0" data-name="EMI MARTINEZ" data-meta-a="GK" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Low down to his left and with the strength to hold onto the ball, his save to deny Riyad Mahrez’s shot early in the second half was sensational. Commanded his area brilliantly, distributed beautifully, and showed superb game management in the closing stages to kill the game. He is turning into a top-class goalkeeper."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FMartinez_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DgmaU0aQO"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">EMI MARTINEZ</h3> <span class="position">GK,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">8.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Low down to his left and with the strength to hold onto the ball, his save to deny Riyad Mahrez’s shot early in the second half was sensational. Commanded his area brilliantly, distributed beautifully, and showed superb game management in the closing stages to kill the game. He is turning into a top-class goalkeeper.</div> </div>
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<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Centre-Backs </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103686" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1227682740-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 18: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrate with his teammate Kieran Tierney after scoring 1st goal during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on July 18, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Centre-Backs</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="5.0" data-name="SHKODRAN MUSTAFI" data-meta-a="RCB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="He is a very lucky boy. From the moment he attempted to dribble around Raheem Sterling in his own penalty area and nearly handed City an early lead, it seemed like it would be a difficult day for the German. So it proved. His passing was slow, he panicked in possession, he gave away silly fouls, and he was fortunate to not concede a penalty when diving in on Sterling. Contrast his performance to Tierney and you can see the difference between what a wide centre-back should do and what Mustafi does instead. He did make some important aerial clearances from City’s bombardment of crosses."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FMustafi_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DiL6Zhdhm"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">SHKODRAN MUSTAFI</h3> <span class="position">RCB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">5.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">He is a very lucky boy. From the moment he attempted to dribble around Raheem Sterling in his own penalty area and nearly handed City an early lead, it seemed like it would be a difficult day for the German. So it proved. His passing was slow, he panicked in possession, he gave away silly fouls, and he was fortunate to not concede a penalty when diving in on Sterling. Contrast his performance to Tierney and you can see the difference between what a wide centre-back should do and what Mustafi does instead. He did make some important aerial clearances from City’s bombardment of crosses.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="8.5" data-name="DAVID LUIZ" data-meta-a="CB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Vindication. David Luiz’s worst nightmares came to life last time he played Manchester City. On this occasion, he proved exactly why Arsenal were right to hand him another year. Playing in the heart of the back three, he was never pulled out of position, met every cross, cleared every pass, blocked every shot. Luiz was the bedrock of the stupendous defensive performance. Total redemption for what came before."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FDL_Website_profiles_1045x658_v2.jpg%3Fitok%3DqvVlzxz8"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">DAVID LUIZ</h3> <span class="position">CB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">8.5</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Vindication. David Luiz’s worst nightmares came to life last time he played Manchester City. On this occasion, he proved exactly why Arsenal were right to hand him another year. Playing in the heart of the back three, he was never pulled out of position, met every cross, cleared every pass, blocked every shot. Luiz was the bedrock of the stupendous defensive performance. Total redemption for what came before.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="9.0" data-name="KIERAN TIERNEY" data-meta-a="LCB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="MAN OF THE MATCH: What more can you say about this man? Playing at centre-back, he was perfectly positioned throughout. Made several crucial interventions, tackled smartly and intercepted passes. He and Maitland-Niles handled Riyad Mahrez relatively well, while Tierney was often the man to play more difficult passes into the middle and final thirds to instigate counter-attacks. He played the crucial role in both goals, feeding Lacazette for the first and then Pepe and an assist for Aubameyang for the second. He typified Arsenal’s spirit, work-rate, concentration, and quality. Brilliant."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FTierney_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3Df_cwTaLa"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">KIERAN TIERNEY</h3> <span class="position">LCB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">9.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">MAN OF THE MATCH: What more can you say about this man? Playing at centre-back, he was perfectly positioned throughout. Made several crucial interventions, tackled smartly and intercepted passes. He and Maitland-Niles handled Riyad Mahrez relatively well, while Tierney was often the man to play more difficult passes into the middle and final thirds to instigate counter-attacks. He played the crucial role in both goals, feeding Lacazette for the first and then Pepe and an assist for Aubameyang for the second. He typified Arsenal’s spirit, work-rate, concentration, and quality. Brilliant.</div> </div>
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<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Wing-Backs </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103685" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1256911235-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 18: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City and Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal battle for the ball during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on July 18, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Matthew Childs/Pool via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Wing-Backs</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.0" data-name="HECTOR BELLERIN" data-meta-a="RWB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Struggled in the first half. Was beaten by Benjamin Mendy on one occasion and gave a few poor turnovers. Was excellent in the second half, however. Stood up to Mendy, defended stoutly, and was more sensible in possession, on the rare occasions that Arsenal were able to get on the ball. Still not at his sharpest and needs to improve when he receives the ball, but his defensive work has improved markedly."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FBellerin_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DVnHg6MBP"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">HECTOR BELLERIN</h3> <span class="position">RWB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Struggled in the first half. Was beaten by Benjamin Mendy on one occasion and gave a few poor turnovers. Was excellent in the second half, however. Stood up to Mendy, defended stoutly, and was more sensible in possession, on the rare occasions that Arsenal were able to get on the ball. Still not at his sharpest and needs to improve when he receives the ball, but his defensive work has improved markedly.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="8.0" data-name="AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES" data-meta-a="LWB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Offensively, his final ball was poor. But he carried the ball well to move Arsenal up the pitch and was mostly in the team to keep tabs on Riyad Mahrez thanks to his one-on-one defensive ability. From that standpoint, he was excellent, beaten only once by the tricky Algerian. He was focused, well-drilled, diligent, and excellently positioned, skills that are not always associated with the young midfielder."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FMaitlandNiles_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3DRnJJjDmE"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES</h3> <span class="position">LWB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">8.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Offensively, his final ball was poor. But he carried the ball well to move Arsenal up the pitch and was mostly in the team to keep tabs on Riyad Mahrez thanks to his one-on-one defensive ability. From that standpoint, he was excellent, beaten only once by the tricky Algerian. He was focused, well-drilled, diligent, and excellently positioned, skills that are not always associated with the young midfielder.</div> </div>
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<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Central Midfield </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103687" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1227682903-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 18: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrate with his teammates Dani Ceballos, Granit Xhaka, Alexandre Lacazette after scoring 1st goal during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on July 18, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Central Midfield</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="8.5" data-name="GRANIT XHAKA" data-meta-a="CM" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Granit Xhaka has been a problem for Arsenal in the past. Slow, poor on the ball, hiding in midfield, and a liability defensively. Not here. This is what Xhaka is at his very best. Positionally outstanding, aware of everything around him, composed when playing out from the back, and the anchor of the team. He and Ceballos got through some serious work without the ball and then played forward when they got the opportunity with the ball. Excellent."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FXhaka_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3D4RdnaWrD"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">GRANIT XHAKA</h3> <span class="position">CM,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">8.5</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Granit Xhaka has been a problem for Arsenal in the past. Slow, poor on the ball, hiding in midfield, and a liability defensively. Not here. This is what Xhaka is at his very best. Positionally outstanding, aware of everything around him, composed when playing out from the back, and the anchor of the team. He and Ceballos got through some serious work without the ball and then played forward when they got the opportunity with the ball. Excellent.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="8.0" data-name="DANI CEBALLOS" data-meta-a="CM" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Had a similarly positive impact defensively. Made several excellent tackles to stem City attacks. Was also the best of the Arsenal players in possession bar Lacazette. He was brave enough to demand the ball in the first half and help move the play up the pitch and then played simply in the second half. His rating is only slightly lower due to a few loose turnovers."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FCeballos_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3DP2n_Yy1a"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">DANI CEBALLOS</h3> <span class="position">CM,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">8.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Had a similarly positive impact defensively. Made several excellent tackles to stem City attacks. Was also the best of the Arsenal players in possession bar Lacazette. He was brave enough to demand the ball in the first half and help move the play up the pitch and then played simply in the second half. His rating is only slightly lower due to a few loose turnovers.</div> </div>
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<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Front Three </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103691" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1227683534-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (C) scores their second goal during the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London, on July 18, 2020. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / POOL / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Front Three</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="7.5" data-name="NICOLAS PEPE" data-meta-a="RW" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Played crucial roles for both goals. First, he collected the ball in the final third and delivered a sumptuous cross for Aubameyang to fire home. Then, he was the outlet from a Tierney pass, held up the ball, and laid it back for Tierney to feed Aubameyang. Two excellent pieces of play that made the key difference in the moves. Defensively, he was switched on, alert, industrious, and hard-working. A very good performance."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FPepe_profile_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3DM5x_CZ9Y"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">NICOLAS PEPE</h3> <span class="position">RW,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">7.5</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Played crucial roles for both goals. First, he collected the ball in the final third and delivered a sumptuous cross for Aubameyang to fire home. Then, he was the outlet from a Tierney pass, held up the ball, and laid it back for Tierney to feed Aubameyang. Two excellent pieces of play that made the key difference in the moves. Defensively, he was switched on, alert, industrious, and hard-working. A very good performance.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="8.5" data-name="PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG" data-meta-a="LW" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Oddly enough, he didn’t play very well. Missed a one-on-one, lost the ball on several occasions when trying to hold off Kyle Walker, and his passing was off, too. And yet, as Aubameyang has illustrated again and again, he does not need to be central to everything to impact the game. Three chances, two goals, and a brilliant counter-attacking weapon. Goals win games, and Aubameyang knows how to score them."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FAubameyang_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3DD5w_ewVj"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG</h3> <span class="position">LW,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">8.5</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Oddly enough, he didn’t play very well. Missed a one-on-one, lost the ball on several occasions when trying to hold off Kyle Walker, and his passing was off, too. And yet, as Aubameyang has illustrated again and again, he does not need to be central to everything to impact the game. Three chances, two goals, and a brilliant counter-attacking weapon. Goals win games, and Aubameyang knows how to score them.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="9.0" data-name="ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE" data-meta-a="ST" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Absolutely superb. Precisely what you need from a false-nine playing in a counter-attacking system. Held up the ball with his back to goal, won fouls, turned into space and played the ball wide to progress play, and then followed Ilkay Gundogan to prevent City from playing out from the back, too."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-player-ratings-holy/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FLacazette_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DWucaQRNh"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE</h3> <span class="position">ST,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">9.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Absolutely superb. Precisely what you need from a false-nine playing in a counter-attacking system. Held up the ball with his back to goal, won fouls, turned into space and played the ball wide to progress play, and then followed Ilkay Gundogan to prevent City from playing out from the back, too.</div> </div>
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