Here are my Arsenal player ratings from today’s 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield (feel free to argue or agree with me):
Vito Mannone – Had a fairly comfortable afternoon in goal for The Gunners. Pulled off a wonderful save late in the second half. Looked a little nervous when Liverpool whipped balls into the area, but dealt with what was thrown at him. Another clean-sheet for the young Italian. 7/10
Carl Jenkinson – Misplaced one or two passes early on but found his feet as the game went on. Was defensively solid and kept Raheem Sterling quiet. Got stuck in and was positioned well throughout. Growing with confidence which is great to see. 8/10
Thomas Vermaelen – Yet another solid performance from the Belgian defender. Worked his socks off, cleared a certain goal off the line after Mannone fumbled and got forward well as well. Was subbed in the 90th minute after a challenge from Steven Gerrard. 8.5/10
Per Mertesacker – A lot of people were worried to see the German start against Luis Suarez, but proved his critics wrong. Got booked early on but was positioned superbly, intercepted well and made some vital challenges throughout the 90. 8.5/10
Kieran Gibbs – Got forward brilliantly, providing an overlap and another option for the forwards, and moved the ball around neatly. Definitely first-choice left-back, just needs to stay fit. 8/10
Mikel Arteta – Doesn’t get enough credit or recognition for what he does for the side. Kept things nice and tidy in midfield, got stuck in and tracked back well. Got booked, but another tenacious performance from the 30-year-old. 8/10
Abou Diaby – Probably the best I’ve seen him play in a very, very long time, and I’m not a fan of him! Made some powerful runs forward, displayed his skill and moved the ball around nicely. Hopefully he can replicate this performance for the next 35 games of the season. 8.5/10
Santi Cazorla – Great movement throughout from the little Spaniard. Shifted the ball around superbly and always threatened when he pushed forward. Created Arsenal’s first goal after playing a lovely through pass to Lukas Podolski. 8.5/10
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Done alright, but I’ve seen him perform much better. Did well defensively, covering Jenkinson when he got forward, but lacked the cutting edge today. 6.5/10
Lukas Podolski – Scored Arsenal’s first goal of the new season then set up the team’s second after playing a lovely one-two with Cazorla. Was always a threat and showed why Arsene Wenger brought him in this summer. Quality performance. 9/10
Olivier Giroud – Didn’t see a lot of the ball, but hassled Liverpool’s back-line well. Won a few headers and held up the ball adequately. Perhaps should’ve scored a goal but its encouraging to see the Frenchman get in goal-scoring positions. 7/10
Subs:
Aaron Ramsey – Came on for ‘The Ox’ on the 73rd minute. Held the ball up nicely, movement was good and found space effortlessly. 6/10
Andre Santos – Came on for Podolski in the 82nd minute. Touched the ball a few times. 5/10
Laurent Koscielny – Replaced Vermaelen in the dying minutes of the game. Touched the ball a handful of times, but good to see ‘The Boss’ back. 5/10
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Ratings close, Tony.
One point that hasn`t been raised is Lukas`s defensive qualities. I was blown away by his effort and ability to play box to box on several occasions. Great signing, I reckon.
I am verey happy with the way arsenal played and hope that arsen don’t take it any easy for our next home game I think I give 9/10 to the team because I think all the players did well and I am verey happy that arsenal can defend and one more thing fernando did not score for Chelsea for few month and I think we should take it easy on girud .
A good result. If they continue like this, the sky will be their limit.
Honestly what I’ve seen the whole season so far is that Arsenal’s midfield 3 are the best in the league. This is where the game was won. Diaby was simply amazing, Arteta was brilliant and Santi was average. But his average is everybody else’s amazing lol. The defence was shaky and Vermaelen bailed us out a number of times. I like Mertesacker cos he reads the game well and his positioning in the box is very good. But he really stuggled today, especially in the first half. His passing was poor and was lucky not to give away a penalty on 2 occasions. Yes, he got the ball on the first one, but he should never commit like he did on Sterling. Also in the 2nd half he got a bit lucky on Suarez, even though that rat f…er is the biigest cheat in the world. I though Jenkinson was a bit iffy early with his passing, but overall was good. Gibbs was excellent, ran Borrini ragged and I could see the Italian’s face when he came off, he looked relieved. Vito still has a lot to learn, but looks good competition for Schesny. Ox was a bit quiet, I expected him to shine around our midfield trio, but I keep forgetting he’s only 18. Still a better choice than Theo and Gervinho. Podolski’s work rate is incredible, I’ still can’t believe that we could sign him and Santi for so cheap, it’s ridiculous. Giroud didn’t have the best game, but sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition because Agger and Skrtel were very good and they teamed up well on him, yet he still broke through a couple of times and almost got on the score sheet, so I think he will be a hit very soon. Overall ratings Vito – 7, Carl – 7 Per – 6.5, Gibbs – 7.5, Ver – 8.5. Diaby – 9, Mikel – 8.5, Santi – 8.5, Podolski 8.5, Ox – 7 and Giroud 6.5.
I agree with most ratings, but Mertesackers’ is to high. He did his defensive work brilliantly but he miss-placed to many passes from which one or two could have ended in a goal for ‘pool!
Really? When? The only missplaced passes were coming from Jenkinson (who I think played well by the way) who tried to play across the back four twice. What were you watching?
No Per did make a couple of really poor passes, all forward passes but still poor that went to the opposition. He was still awesome though, just a couple of small mistakes, nothing the new best defence in the league can’t handle. Oh yeah and on a side note I think I love Arteta.
Honestly, i really dont no hw to xpress the wonder of game. I was over joy and suprised the way they handled the ball as if it was their property only. I pray dat they should keep it up and in the rating i agree wit u but per own is low should b 9 bcos nobody xpect that performance 4rm him likewise diaby. So Tanx
Giroud had a good game, his off the ball movement is incredible and is unfortunate with his finishing. Don’t lose faith in him! Give him a few more games and I’m sure his goal scoring and assist rate will drastically improve.
All Giroud knockers out there can I just remind you it took the Great Dennis Bergkamp 7 games before he scored for Arsenal!
Girouds movement up front was a constant thorn in the side of Skrtel and Agger. He kept pulling them apart which left huge gaps. Look at the first goal, his movement was the catalyst for Cazorlas run through the middle. I can see good things from him and I reckon it’ll be a case of once he breaks the deadlock he will be a consistent threat (certainly not a 30 a year man but maybe 15-20).
Leave Giroud alone guys, he did well. Dragged the defenders away with good movement for the first goal. He made a number of telling defensive headers,
He finds the space brilliantly, ie he has a football brain. Alright he missed a couple of glaring chances, but that is why the premier league is so tough, its not so much the speed of the game but more the lack of time allowed on the ball. Thats what makes it so too and fro. Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t VP miss a couple of sitters yesterday as well as missing a pen. Give Oliver some time he will come good, and when he does, mark my words- he’ll be immense. Rant over.