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Player Ratings v Burnley Boreothon


By Matty Sadler
January 30 2016

Arsenal started the game very well, completely in control and attacking well, and took the lead after Chambers excellently finished off a good team move. It should've been plain sailing after that but we looked hopeless all game at defending balls into the box, and Burnley equalised. They had the better of the first half after that, bar a little fight back from us at the end.

The Gunners responded very well, flying out of the blocks at the start of the second half, and eventually took the lead after Alexis finished off another great team move. We settled after that and the rest of the half was pretty boring. Overall, good going forward but poor at the back, and a better team would've punished us.

Centre back is a big concern though. Burnley's strikers would give most defenders a tough afternoon as Vokes is big, strong and very good in the air, and Gray is pacey, powerful and doesn't stop moving, but Gabriel was particularly awful. With Koscielny also not playing very well at the moment, and many, including myself, believing we need to phase Mertesacker out, I feel something needs to be done in the summer.

Anyhow we are in the next round of cup, which is all that matters.

Ratings follow:

Ospina - 6. Made a good save off Gray and claimed a cross well in the first half, otherwise he didn't have a great deal to do.

Chambers - 7. Scored a great goal with the outside of his right boot, and was okay overall on the day, but we already know he isn't a long term option at right back. Extra point for the goal.
Gabriel - 5. Struggled against two good Burnley strikers and never looked comfortable playing out from the back.
Koscielny - 6. Made an awful start before settling somewhat, but never looked comfortable.
Gibbs - 7. The pick of our defenders. Played very well, aside from the slip that took out Coquelin. Also got forward to good effect throughout.

Coquelin - 6. Looked very rusty and off the pace in the first half, understandably, but improved a lot in the second half. Glad he is back as it is a massive boost to our title challenge
Elneny - 6. He showed his fantastic engine as he covered every blade of grass. He kept things nice and simple with his passing and had a couple of efforts from distance. I didn't think he looked particularly good defensively, though it is still early days. An okay debut overall.

Oxlade-Chamberlain - 7. Anonymous in the first half, but much, much better in the second half. Got a great assist for Alexis's goal, which will hopefully give him confidence.
Iwobi - 8. He played a big part in both goals, worked hard, linked up very well with his team mates, retained the ball well and even made a couple of good defensive actions. Very impressive again.
Alexis - 7. A mixed performance from our hero as he got more minutes under his belt, worked hard and tried to create something. Great news as he scored the winner. Also glad he is back as it is a massive boost to our title challenge

Giroud - 6. He was hopeless in the first half. Big improvement in the second half as he tried to link up with his team mates.

Subs:

Rosicky - 5. Some good passes and tough but no real impact. Good to see him back as well.
Arteta - 5. Didn't notice him at all in the whole 20 minutes he was one. Not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing...
Walcott - 5. Hardly had a touch but should have won it for us right at the end.

More Discussion here

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