Pablo Zabaleta: 6 - Not a natural left-back, but the Argentine rarely lets City down and he did well in place of the suspended Gael Clichy and injured Aleksandar Kolarov. Hit the post with a second-half strike.
Yaya Toure: 6 - Never as effective in a defensive midfield role as he is when playing in a more advanced position, but the Ivorian anchored well in tandem with Gareth Barry, despite his inclination to break forward.
Gareth Barry: 6 - Rightfully booked for a dangerous first-half challenge on Mikel Arteta, but the England midfielder otherwise did his usual steady job in front of the back four for City.
David Silva: 8 - Gave City the lead during another master-class display. It's becoming repetitive and predictable now, but Silva is becoming as influential for City as Lionel Messi is to Barcelona.
Samir Nasri: 8 - Challenged to raise his game by Roberto Mancini prior to the game and the former Arsenal answered the call. Some of his play with Silva was sublime. Must now do it more often.
Sergio Aguero: 7 - Saw a series of first-half chances go begging, with the Argentine surprisingly shooting over the crossbar from 12 yards on nine minutes. Never lacked effort, though, and always on the look-out for a breakthrough.
Mario Balotelli: 6 - More Korma than Madras for City's Indian restaurant connoisseur, but the Italian forward at least livened up his quiet performance by creating the opening goal for David Silva.
Substitutes
James Milner: On for Balotelli 72mins, 6/10, Nigel de Jong: On for Yaya Toure 85mins, 6/10, Edin Dzeko: On for Nasri 85mins, 6/10
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Wojciech Szczesny: 7 - Famous last words perhaps, but the Pole appears to have solved Arsenal's goalkeeping problem. Made a series of saves and was unlucky to be punished by Silva for City's opener.
Johan Djourou: 5 - Rarely looked comfortable at right-back, but his game was over within two minutes of the second-half due to a groin injury suffered when attempting to challenge Balotelli late in the first-half.
Per Mertesacker: 7 - When the German's lack of pace is not exposed, he marshals the Arsenal defence well. Commanding in the air and his presence appears to be calming one for Szczesny.
Laurent Koscielny: 7 - The French defender has come a long way since his Old Trafford horror show earlier this season and he looked at home alongside Mertesacker at the heart of the back-four.
Thomas Vermaelen: 6 - Started the game at left-back due to Arsenal's defensive crisis, but reverted to centre-half following Djourou's departure. Had his hands full with Sergio Aguero.
Alex Song: 7 - Picked up an early booking, so was walking a tightrope for the remainder of the game. Performed well alongside Arteta at the heart of Arsenal's midfielder, however.
Mikel Arteta: 6 - Fortunate not to suffer a nasty knee injury following a bad first-half challenge by Gareth Barry. The incident appeared to rankle, however, and he was booked in the second-half following a series of niggly challenges.
Aaron Ramsey: 6 - Neat and tidy in midfield, but the Wales captain lacked an end product. Rarely looked likely to deliver a killer pass to Van Persie, but might have had a first-half penalty following heavy Kolo Toure tackle.
Theo Walcott: 5 - Tested Joe Hart with a fierce second-half strike, but did little else before appearing to complain to assistant manager Pat Rice about his second-half substitution.
Gervinho: 8 - A threat all afternoon and he tormented Micah Richards down Arsenal's left flank. Could have opened the scoring early on but for an important save by Joe Hart.
Robin van Persie: 7 - Showed why City are so keen to lure him to the Etihad Stadium. A genuine class act and always looked dangerous, but just get the chances to score.
Substitutes
Andrei Arshavin: On for Walcott, 69, 6/10, Marouane Chamakh: On for Mertesacker, 82, 6/10, Ignasi Miquel: On for Djourou, 47
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