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Arsenal player ratings vs Manchester City: Mesut Ozil woes on opening day

By Kian Long

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal and Mesut Ozil of Arsenal look dejected after conceding a second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal and Mesut Ozil of Arsenal look dejected after conceding a second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal and Sergio Aguero of Manchester City battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal and Sergio Aguero of Manchester City battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Hector Bellerin – 5.5/10

It was an okay game by Bellerin. While he didn’t set the world alight, he didn’t do anything to hinder his reputation either. He wasn’t able to get forward as much, which is understandable when coming up against Manchester City. He will be hoping for better against Chelsea.

Shkodran Mustafi – 5/10

Again, he looked out of place. I still think the season will treat him well once he finds his rhythm, but he definitely needs to improve on this performance.

Mustafi needs to learn when and when not to commit. There was a moment early on where Sterling was dancing around the defense and making Arsenal look silly, this all stemmed from Mustafi not knowing what to do. Improvements are definitely needed by him.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos – 6.5/10

I think Sokratis played very well. He denied many opportunities and wasn’t as much of a liability as I imagined he would be. It’s by no means the best debut in the world, but as an individual he shouldn’t hang his head in shame. Onwards and upwards, Sokratis!

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – N/A

Unfortunately, the young Englishman was injured in the first half and he was forced to be substituted. The way in which he was injured was quite heroic and speaks for itself. He needed to stop a bursting Kyle Walker, and he did so well, but got injured in the process.

Arsenal fans will be hopeful of a speedy recovery, and not just because Sead Kolasinac is injured. It’s a huge season for Maitland-Niles.

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