Champions League Player Ratings: Arsenal 2-0 Standard Liege

ARSENAL

Almunia - 6 - Comprehensively beaten by Mbokani's shot that hit a post, weak in the air and slow off his line, but no major errors

Eboue - 6 - Bright and positive, pushed forward and attacked almost all through the game, but caught out positionally a few times

Gallas - 7 - Collected a nasty blood wound and boxers' eyes after clashing heads with Arshavin, otherwise steady and dangerous at set pieces. Withdrawn at half-time

Vermaelen - 6 - So keen to score against his compatriots he was almost an auxillary forward at times, but otherwise less calm and imposing than required

Gibbs - 7 - Composed when needed and energetic also on his return to the team after brief injury break, but unlucky to take knock again in closing seconds

Fabregas - 8 - Another fine, if not outstanding, performance from the captain, busy everywhere, some fine passing and many shots without finding the net.

Song - 7 - Resolute and tidy in his shield role, he also prompted well and played a strong part in this Arsenal win

Denilson - 8 - Impressive return after injury, good reading, neat passing and a very well-struck goal

Nasri - 8 - A good attacking performance and a fine goal to open up the game, but mixed with some industry and good team work

Vela - 6 - Worked hard but found it difficult to integrate and his one-footedness was no help to him when he had an opening

Arshavin - 6 - Unlucky not to score on several occasions, but slightly below his best and hampered by the head wound suffered in collision with Gallas

SUBSTITUTES

Silvestre - 6 - did a steady job playing on the right to replace gallas in central defence 

Walcott - 6 - few chances to shine, but did his best to get involved

Rosicky - N/A - not enough time to make a real impact  

STANDARD LIEGE 

Bolat - 8 - Beaten by some fine finishing, but produced a run of good saves, many brave ones, to thwart Arsenal, notably in one flurry in the first half

Camozzato - 6 - A busy evening mostly chasing shadows but like the rest he stuck at it as Standard fought all the way

Sarr - 7 - Did a good job in making Vela's outing difficult for the Mexican and was strong in the air when he had to be

Felipe - 6 - Strong in the air and bold when required but out-foxed on the deck when Arsenal clicked into gear

Mulemo - 6 - His slip gifted Nasri the opening goal but he was otherwise creative despite facing so much pressure

Goreux - 7 - Played on left of midfield and was busy chasing Fabregas as well as trying to support the attack

Witsel - 7 - Strong in the centre of the pitch and was involved in Liege's best attacks, but struggled to contain Arsenal's midfield moves

Mangala - 6 - Worked hard without making much impact

Carcela-Gonzalez - 5 - Busy and sharp in the tackle, he was involved in the game, but without much impact until a mad moment when after shirt-tugging and fouling Fabregas, he butted him and was sent off.

Dalmat - 6 - Floated in and out of the game and his best contribution was from a first-half free-kick that flew wide

Mbokani - 7 - Hit the post with a great curling shot from 20 yards, but otherwise did little to threaten

SUBSTITUTES 

Cyriac - 7 - Hit post with a sharp shot in closing stages and did enough to suggest he could have made an impact earlier

Traore - N/A - not much time to impress... and he did not.