Player Ratings: Arsenal 1-2 Swansea
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Another game gone, another game where Arsenal have failed to show up. Arsene Wenger’s men scored the first goal of the game through a well-placed finish from Joel Campbell. Complacency then crept into Arsenal’s game, allowing Swansea back into the game. The Welsh club then equalised before snatching a winner, throwing Arsenal’s title credentials into doubt.
Fans will no doubt be left feeling angry at their team for under-performing, but how well did (or didn’t) the players perform? Here are the player ratings for the match vs. Swansea.
Petr Cech: 5/10
The experienced ‘keeper only faced two shots on target all game and conceded both of them. That’s not to say that either goals conceded were particularly his fault, but as the Gunners lacked any real solidarity or structure at the back, fans would have expected Cech to step up and reorganise his defence.
Not his finest hour and one that may well have ended the Gunners’ title bid.
Hector Bellerin: 4/10
The young Spaniard has enjoyed a fine season with the Gunners this year but tonight was just not his night.
The defender was unable to play a single effective cross throughout the game and in general offered almost nothing going forwards.
Defensively, Bellerin also slipped up. He was at fault for Swansea’s equaliser for stopping to dispute a foul on Mesut Ozil which allowed the Swans to break and score.
Per Mertesacker: 5/10
Per wasn’t particularly bad tonight, but he did very little to keep his side ahead against the Swans. As the most experienced defender in the Arsenal lineup for today’s game fans would have expected the German to step up and control the Arsenal defence, yet he looked almost lost wihtout Koscielny partnering him.
Gabriel: 3/10
The Brazilian is having a dreadful season with the Gunners and tonight was no exception. He is yet to show any reason why he should start over Laurent Koscielny and did very little to protect Petr Cech tonight.
Gabriel will have to start improving or risk his Arsenal career being over before it even started.
Nacho Monreal: 6/10
The Spaniard has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent players this season and tonight was a similar showing. Fairly solid at the back and was far more effective getting forward than Bellerin was on the other side.
Unfortunately, Monreal’s efforts did little to improve his side’s result.
Aaron Ramsey: 4/10
The Welshman endured yet another poor game for the Gunners and apart from his cross into Mertesacker, who in turn set up Giroud to hit the crossbar, he offered very little in the game.
Once again, Ramsey’s passing was sloppy and he offered very little creatively and so questions must be asked as to why he is starting when so badly out of form.
Francis Coquelin: 6/10
The Frenchman was once again one of Arsenal’s better performers but was not quite at his personal best which only added to the Gunners’ poor result.
He made several big tackles to stop Swansea but was unable to cover all of the midfield on his own.
Joel Campbell: 7.5/10
The Costa Rican was undoubtedly Arsenal’s best player tonight and his substitution off the pitch in the second half was met with much criticism.
Scored Arsenal’s only goal with a fantastic finish but was unlucky to be one of only a couple of players who looked up for the game.
Mesut Ozil: 7/10
It seems laughable that some people still question Ozil’s commitment. The German is consistently the only player on the pitch who looks up for a fight and tonight was no different.
Created more than enough chances for the Gunners to have secured a win but once again saw most of the opportunities he created be wasted.
Alexis Sanchez: 3.5/10
The Chilean seems to be in a rut. No matter what he tries at the moment, nothing seems to come off. His free kick hit the crossbar as well as hitting the post with another shot.
Sadly, last season’s player of the season seems far off of his best form and has shown no sign of recovering. Really needs to look at himself and regain both his confidence and composure.
Olivier Giroud: 4/10
10 games have gone by without the Frenchman scoring. 10. That is far too many for a player who is trying to lead a team towards the league title.
Had a brilliant chance to score and hit the crossbar. His play reeks of someone low on confidence and it may well be time for the Gunners to take the brave step to drop him.
Substitutes
Welbeck: 5/10
Oddly brought on in place of Campbell and didn’t put a foot wrong. Unfortunately, he didn’t put a foot right either.
Walcott: N/A
The speedster came on late into the game when his side lacked any drive to look for a winner and so was unable to help his team out. Another nothing game for the Englishman.