Here are my Arsenal player ratings from today’s 5-0 win over Aston Villa at the Emirates:
David Ospina – Another clean sheet for the Colombian shot-stopper. Made one or two great saves and was comfortable when going up for the ball. 7/10
Hector Bellerin – Got forward well and didn’t neglect his defensive duties. Growing in confidence with every game he plays and got Arsenal’s fifth goal with a cool, low finish from outside the box. 7/10
Per Mertesacker – The German centre-back was composed throughout and kept Christian Benteke quiet all game. 7/10
Laurent Koscielny – The Frenchman kept position well throughout was not really put under any threat by Villa’s attackers. 7/10
Nacho Monreal – Scott Sinclair gave the full-back a few worrying moments on the wing in the final third but did well despite tired legs. 6/10
Francis Coquelin – Showed some aggression by getting stuck in early. Misplaced a few passes but improved as the game wore on. 7/10
Aaron Ramsey – Kept it simple today with some decent touches and passes. Always looked to create and pushed forward knowing Coquelin was holding position. 6.5/10
Mesut Ozil – Played the pass of the season when he remarkable flicked the ball between the Villa centre-backs to set-up Giroud. Confidence grew from there on and got on the score sheet with a cool finish. Man of the Match for me. 8.5/10
Theo Walcott – Struggled to keep up with the pace of the game early on but it was expected with this being his first Premier League appearance in over a year. Stepped up his game in the second half and finished off a fine move to put the game to bed. 7/10
Santi Cazorla – The little Spaniard always looked to create and displayed his fine touch and awareness once again. Set-up Theo’s goal and slotted home from the penalty spot. 7.5/10
Olivier Giroud – bagged his seventh Premier League goal in the seventh minute of the game. Was a threat to Villa’s back-line and was withdrawn with the game out of Villa’s reach. 7/10
SUBS:
Tomas Rosicky – Came on in the 70th minute for Walcott and slotted into the England international’s position. Made some good passes and looked to engineer attacks. 5/10
Chuba Akpom – replaced Giroud with 20 minutes to go and showed some great movement on and off the ball. Won Arsenal’s penalty. 6/10
Mathieu Flamini – Came on for Ramsey in the 77th minute and sat in midfield to see the game out. 5/10
