Here are my Arsenal player ratings from today’s 3-0 away win against Hull City:
Wojciech Szczesny – A commanding performance from the Pole. Was decisive when coming to collect the ball from corners and dealt with what was thrown at him which wasn’t a lot to be honest. 8/10
Bacary Sagna – Held his position well and offered an overlap. Still can’t cross a ball mind you but did fine. 6/10
Per Mertesacker – The Big German was virtually unbeatable in the air today and had a great headed effort go just over the bar in the second-half. 7/10
Laurent Koscielny – Had a quiet game really, but this is a good thing. Was positioned well throughout, got stuck in and limited Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long today. 6.5/10
Nacho Monreal – Struggled in the first 30 to settle as the Spaniard was caught out a number of times due to poor positioning. Did better as the game wore on though. 6/10
Mikel Arteta – Made some good tackles and put his body on the line, resulting in a few knocks here and there. A few loose touches today but his passing was on point. 6/10
Aaron Ramsey – Was influential throughout. Always looked to make runs in behind the Hull defence and fashion chances for himself and his team-mates. Got back into the swing of things by getting on the score-sheet. Man of the Match. 9/10
Lukas Podolski – Although it wasn’t a vintage Podolski performance the German forward managed to net a brace today, making it four in his last two Premier League outing for the Gunners. Should keep his place in the side for the next game. 7.5/10
Santi Cazorla – misplaced many passes early on and struggled to find pockets in midfield. But the Spanish maestro settled after the first goal was scored and started to spray the ball around like we are used to seeing. Always looked to create and bagged an assist. 7/10
Mesut Ozil – Great to see the German back but he looked tired from the get go. Was involved in the build of Arsenal’s first goal but only managed an hour today. Lacking match fitness. 6/10
Olivier Giroud – Was not a goal threat today. The only chance he had on goal was late on in the game when he chased down a back pass which he intercepted and hit the bar. Bagged an assist. 6/10
SUBS:
Mathieu Flamini – Came on in the 60th minute for Ozil. The French midfielder got stuck in, hassled the hull midfield and held his position well. Didn’t get booked! 5/10
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Replaced Giroud on the 73rd minute and made some darting runs down the wing and into the Hull box – one of which should’ve resulted in a penalty. 5/10
Yaya Sanogo – came on for Podolski in the final five minutes. N/A
We rightly rave about overseas players in the Premier League but here is a young man who has had to overcome great advsersity and plays at a world class level consistently. It is such a shame he has missed a big chunk of the season thru injury and with Wilshire and Ozil both fit I still think Arsenal would have been up there with Liverpool come the end of the season. Just watch Aaron’s movement off the ball to see what I mean.
Yap, well said about Ramsey, i thnk Ozl, Ramsey, Wlshire, Cazora, Ox and Theo make the best attacking team of the league. We don’t need any new defender, what we need right now is to extend sagna’s contract, keep hold of varmeline, Fabinski and podoski. Sell the mupet Giroud who can not even win a penalty, make Theo our main striker, buy one more speed star striker or even baloteli to play alongside walcot or as a back up, buy one world class winger to rotate and last but most important Arsene should extend his contract and he must stop responding to Morinho’s madness.