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Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 Arsenal – my player ratings

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Arsene WengerHere are my Arsenal player ratings from tonight’s disappointing 2-1 away loss to Dinamo Zagreb:

David Ospina – Apart from picking the ball up from the back of his net twice, the Colombian was rarely troubled. Could do nothing about the two goals. 5/10

Mathieu Debuchy – got forward well but defensive positioning was all over the place, especially for the goal. Looks like he’s struggling for fitness still. 4/10

Gabriel – Got stuck in straightaway with some nice, clean tackles and did well throughout. 6.5/10

Laurent Koscielny – The Frenchman could have done better marshalling his back four prior to the opening goal being scored and didn’t do enough to prevent the second either. Has had better days. 4/10

Kieran Gibbs – Bombed forward with conviction and offered the overlap when on attack, but his defending was once again suspect. 4.5/10

Mikel Arteta – Hasn’t started in a while and it showed. The Spanish midfielder looked off the pace at times and struggled to track back for the goal. 4/10

Santi Cazorla – Delivered some decent set-pieces and attempted to get things rolling from deep, but it just never happened for him tonight. 5/10

Alexis Sanchez – Showed some great footwork and pace early on but was erratic on the ball and did too much at times. Still regaining his full fitness. 5/10

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Delivered some tantalising balls into the box which Giroud should have done better with, but failed to track his man which led to the opening goal. 5/10

Mesut Ozil – The German midfielder got more and more into the game as it wore on and always looked create in the final third. Made some intelligent runs and kept things neat and tidy. 5.5/10

Olivier Giroud – Not in form and not all there after receiving his marching orders for two bookable offences, all before the 40th minute. 3/10

SUBS:

Theo Walcott – On for Chamberlain in the 64th minute and managed to find the back of the net with a cool finish in the 78th minute after being threaded through by Sanchez. Looked a threat. 6/10

Francis Coquelin – Replaced Arteta in the 64th minute and protected the back four as per usual. Added some steel to the Arsenal midfield. 5/10

Joel Campbell – Had 26 minutes of action after replacing Gibbs and was deployed on the right wing. Played a lovely slide-rule pass to Theo, who unfortunately was offside, but his first touch was off the mark and gave away a few needless fouls. Booked. 5/10

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