My Arsenal player ratings from tonight’s 2-1 win against Swansea at The Liberty Stadium (feel free to argue or agree with me):
Wojciech Szczesny – Conceded a goal he couldn’t do anything about really. Prior to that, the Polish shot-stopper dealt with what was thrown at him, which wasn’t a lot to be honest. 7.5/10
Bacary Sagna – Defended superbly well, dealing with Wayne Routledge’s pace and cutting out the Swansea man’s crosses. Pushed forward when he could, offering the Arsenal attack an overlap on the right wing. Good performance from the French right-back. 7/10
Per Mertesacker – Should have stepped up with his defensive team-mates for Swansea’s goal but apart from that incident the big German produced another fine performance. 7/10
Laurent Koscielny – Don’t think the Frenchman put a foot wrong tonight. Read the game brilliantly and kept Michu extremely quiet. 8/10
Kieran Gibbs – Seems to be getting better with every game that passes. Never really got forward tonight due to Nathan Dyer’s attacking threat but defensively was sound. 7/10
Mathieu Flamini – Wasn’t afraid to get stuck in and was very disciplined in his deep midfield position. Picked up another yellow. 7/10
Aaron Ramsey – The Welshman just can’t stop scoring at the moment. Bagged Arsenal’s second and ran his socks off for 94 minutes. 8/10
Serge Gnabry – Took what was a very pedestrian game by the scruff of the neck by making encouraging and incisive runs forward. As well as inspiring Arsenal forward, the 18-year-old didn’t shy from his defensive duties, tracking back and working hard for the team. Was rewarded for his efforts by netting his first Premier League goal of his Arsenal career. Man of the Match. 8.5/10
Jack Wilshere – A very lacklustre display from the England international in the first 45, but Jack lifted himself in the second half by tracking back and working hard for the side. Looks more assured in the centre of midfield though. 6/10
Mesut Ozil – Made some intelligent runs through the channels but was unable to find the incisive pass tonight. Had to come very deep at times to collect the ball. 6/10
Olivier Giroud – Possibly the worst first 45 minutes I have seen from Giroud in a long time. Looked knackered and didn’t chase the ball down liked we are used to seeing. However, the Frenchman picked his game up in the second half by making some good runs forward and holding the ball up well. Set up Ramsey for the winner. 6/10
SUBS:
Mikel Arteta – Came on for Gnabry in the 77th minute or so to add more steel in midfield. N/A
Nacho Monreal – Replaced Ozil in the 87th minute and deployed on the wing to help out defensively. N/A
Carl Jenkinson – Came on for Wilshere in the 91st minute and I assume was told by Arsene Wenger to get his body in the way. N/A
Left or right,Arsenal won.
I would have given Giroud a 5/10. He was so lazy, not tracking back and basically just walking past opponents meanwhile his team members put in more effort to stop Swan’s attacks. The worst game I’ve ever seen Giroud play. Either he wasn’t interested or too tired. Either way he gotta step up and Wenger needs another GOOD striker, not NB.
Giroud should have a competitor. He becoming lazy by day and goals not forthcoming. Arsen needs to fix this during January window.
First of all congratulation to all fans. Second I think we over play Giroud and we need to use other striker ( don’t ask me who) maybe Bentner, I felt he was not in game he didn’t go after ball if he missed it and was irritate to lose the ball instead of go back after that. I think this the price we pay to not bring another striker in summer when we had chance lets hope he can play until January then Wenger will buy a dicent attacker.
I know 19 other teams who would love to be here and discussing this lol , we are top of the league , say we are top of the league
Giroud needs competition,hope he stays fit though…. wenger should go for lewandoski by jan….
Can’t expect Giroud to play at a superlative level each game! I think he was tired and not alert throughout. But that’s why it’s a team sport – he and Ramsey have been terrific all season and now with Ozil, Cazorla and Wilshere playing their hearts out – the team should remain strong throughout the season!
After they have scored the 2nd goal. They seem very contented and lost the attacking tempo. Hell break loose and cant even hold much of the ball in their posession.