By Matty Sadler
January 14 2016
After that first half I'd have taken a draw, as I thought we didn't look up for it at all and Liverpool really shot out of the blocks, but after that second half I am so disappointed to have drawn 3-3. Once we went 3-2 up we really should have seen the game out and won, but unfortunately Wenger's negative and defensive substitutions, especially taking Campbell off, took the sting out of our game and invited Liverpool on to us. We were bound to concede eventually after that. Campbell was brilliant again. Giroud was brilliant. We need to improve on Flamini urgently this window. Wenger's subs cost us. Bring on Stoke.
Cech - 6. Conceded three, but I don't think he could have done a great deal more about any of them.
Bellerin - 7. Not really in the first half to be honest, but a much better second half. Played a huge part in what should have been Giroud's winner.
Mertesacker - 7. Not so good first half, much better second half. Made one amazing block.
Koscielny - 7. Ditto Mertesacker really.
Monreal - 8. Tough first half against Jordon Ibe but second half I thought he was fantastic defensively, and even got forward well a couple of times as well.
Flamini - 5. I don't see why people try and pretend he isn't an issue. He was shocking in the first half and was at fault for Liverpool's second goal when he gave the ball away with a sloppy, loose pass. Improved somewhat in the second half. The sooner we sign a replacement the better.
Ramsey - 7. Great movement and finish for first goal (though he doesn't score many, apparently). Excellent corner for our second goal. Worked his socks off up against three midfielders on his own. Fantastic engine, as always.
Campbell - 9. Average? Nothing special? Should've started the Ox? B*llcks! Fantastic. Worked hard, was always involved, got stuck in and, as usual these days, showed tremendous vision and ability in the final third. Played a huge part in our first and third goals.
Ozil - 7. Liverpool marked him out of the game in the first half and starved him of possession as he only had 26 touches, but I thought he was brilliant in the second half.
Walcott - 6. Rubbish start to the game where he did his best Ox impression to lose the ball in a vital position and cost us a goal, and spent large parts of the first half uninvolved. Improved towards the end of the first half, and was much better in the second half where he worked hard, got involved and used his pace. Needs to remember he is playing for his shirt now.
Giroud - 9. Strong, brave header in the build up to our first goal. Deft finish for our second goal. Worldie first touch, spin and finish for our third goal. Led the line fantastically. Should've scored a hat trick but produced probably our miss of the season in the first half, which in the end cost us.
Subs:
Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5. One attempt to run forward with the ball, should've played in Ozil but lost it.
Gibbs - 6. Well involved down the left.
Arteta - N/A. Not on long