Arsenal managed to turn, what looked like a certain humiliation, to a heroic comeback at Vitality Stadium. Although it doesn’t help the Gunners in their title ambitions, they could definitely take heart from the inspiring retaliation. Here are the player ratings.
Cech (4/10) – Had a terrible game. Yet another match without a clean sheet and a horrible attempt for the third goal. It is time Wenger tries David Ospina in that position now.
Monreal (6.5/10) – He was the best of the back four. Although a bit jarred at moments, he looked quite assuring and hardly let Stanislas create any chances from the right flank.
Koscielny (5/10) – Wenger admitted post-match that he didn’t look at his best. Why play him then? He had to be taken off before the final quarter and Gabriel coming on made the difference. With heavy legs and a tired body, Koscielny looked like his shadow.
Mustafi (5.5/10) – It was probably too early to play the German international and yet another poor decision from Wenger who had Rob Holding and Gabriel on the bench. He looked far from fit and made numerous errors giving away possession quite often. Although his composure on the ball helped in the end when Arsenal were all attack.
Bellerin (4/10) – A rare bad display from the Spaniard. He didn’t apply his brain at times and unfortunately, he was punished every time he was caught off position. Mentally tired, Bellerin relied too much on his pace on a difficult night and lost out to Fraser repeatedly.
Xhaka (5/10) – He has been one of those players who played all the last three matches and it took a toll on him. But it doesn’t justify his needless tackle that brought about the second goal. Other than that, he looked sharp in his tackles and played a crucial role in Arsenal’s comeback.
Coquelin (4/10) – Hardly played and is now out for three weeks with a hamstring injury.
Ramsey (5.5/10) – Had a mixed game. On one hand, his finishing looked atrocious at times and he had some verbal arguments with Sanchez, while his passing looked sublime at times and something tells us that his class will soon take over his bad form.
Sanchez (7/10) – He has visually looked dissatisfied in the last few games. Whether it was playing on the left or Arsenal’s lack of emergence up front, is yet to be understood. However, he was the biggest threat Arsenal had up front and it was his opener that inspired the comeback.
Iwobi (6.5/10) – Of course, playing repeatedly had its effect on him, but he has been a real warrior. He was perhaps the second most composed player with the ball in the Arsenal squad after Sanchez. He had to be taken early in the second half for Chamberlain but barring some mixed passes, Iwobi looked quite effective.
Giroud (7.5/10) – He was non-existent for the first 70 minutes of the game. And then he came up with two assists and the crucial equaliser. His celebration took it a bit too far, though, where Arsenal ideally should have started the game quickly for the winner.
Oxlade-Chamberlain (6/10) – He was hugely impactful since he came on and it was his perfectly measured cross that brought out the opener.
Lucas Perez (8/10) – Scored a gem of a goal, reminiscent of a certain Van Persie volley. He really turned around things after coming on and was duly praised by Wenger.
