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Reality Cech Player Ratings v Boro


Wonder tackle

By Matty Sadler
October 22 2016

Arsenal had a great opportunity to go top of the table against a poor Middlesbrough side but unfortunately fluffed it. Middlesbrough were organised, kept men behind the ball and defended well and, as we've seen many times from Arsenal sides in recent years, we struggled to create anything and lacked a genuine plan B.

The Gunners did try putting balls into the box later on but didn't have anybody to aim for. In fact, Middlesbrough actually had the better chances.

We've seen games exactly like this earlier in the season against Southampton and Burnley. In those games luck was on our side and we were able to win right at the death. Today that wasn't the case. This was a reality check after Ludagorets.

Cech - 7. Two excellent saves in the first half and a good one in the second half. Little to do otherwise.

Bellerin - 6. Okay but going forward balls into the box need to be better.
Mustafi - 7. Great first half. Gave the ball away sloppily in the second half and got booked making up for it.
Koscielny - 7. Found himself the wrong side of Traore in the first half but fortunately Cech bailed him out. Very good otherwise.
Monreal - 6. Really struggled with the pace and power of Traore but did get forward well at times.

Coquelin - 6. Good first half.
Elneny - 6. Good first half but wasn't the penetrative force we needed in the second half.

Walcott - 6. Really poor final ball in the first half. Thought he played well in the second half.
Ozil - 5. Didn't create much.
Iwobi - 5. Struggled to make an impact.

Alexis - 5. Didn't ofter the focal point we needed upfront and was often too deep. Not great when he moved out wide either.

Subs:

Lucas - 4. Didn't make much of an impact either.
Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5. Offered drive late on.

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