Arsenal endured a rather disappointing night against Swansea on Monday that belied their recent form as the heroics of former gunner Łukasz Fabianski and a Bafetemi Gomis header meant the Swans left the Emirates with three points. Arsene Wenger and his side will no doubt be frustrated by the nature of the defeat as the performance harked back to those days of ‘sterile domination’, or, in layman’s terms, plenty of possession but no end product. Here’s how the Gunners rated:
David Ospina (GK): 5/10
I talked last week about how the keeper’ debate is a rather moot point in games such as this when Arsenal enjoy near total domination. If anything that debate has been placed back into the limelight by goal-line technology. While Gomis’ header was decent Ospina really should’ve saved it and one wonders whether a taller keeper’ would’ve done so. Ospina’s height also played a factor in for Monaco’s third goal at the Emirates earlier in the year and while he has done little wrong you’d have to think he’s going to be under more pressure as the season nears its end.
Hector Bellerin (RB): 6/10
Beaten rather easily by Jefferson Montero (much like Callum Chambers in the reverse fixture) for the goal but that was down inexperience more than anything. Got forward well as always.
Per Mertersacker (CB): 6/10
Very little to do against a Swansea side happy to sit deep and soak up pressure. Two interceptions and one clearance are testament to that.
Laurent Koscienly (CB): 6/10
Like Per the Frenchman was rarely troubled. Maybe could’ve picked up Gomis for the goal but otherwise had a very quiet night.
Nacho Monreal (LB): 7/10
Had a very good night despite the goal. Like the reverse fixture at the Liberty he was beaten by Gomis but you can’t expect a man of Nacho’s height to do much in a situation like that. Like Bellerin on the oposite flank he always provided an outlet and was perhaps unlucky not to earn a penalty in the second half.
Francis Coquelin (DM): 6/10
Again another who did nothing wrong but with Swansea’s tactics and Arsenal’s domination it was no surprise to see him taken off for the more attack-minded Jack Wilshere.
Santi Cazorla (CM): 6/10
Quiet by his own incredibly high standards, Santi created just one chance and took a surprisingly high 7 shots, all which seemed to be blocked.
Mesut Ozil (CM): 6/10
Always liable to create chances and he didn’t disappoint, making 5 key passes. Unfortunately no one finished those.
Aaron Ramsey (RW): 6.5/10
The Welshman has stated he prefers playing through the centre yet coming off the flank on Monday he was still one of Arsenal’s better performers. Always looking to make things happen, he created 3 chances, the best of which an eye of the needle pass to Alexis who really should’ve scored.
Alexis (LW): 5.5/10
Alexis is posssibly the hardest working of any of the Arsenal squad and his importance this season has been immense. However the Chilean was poor tonight and could well have won the game had his finishing been better while his final ball and tendency to run into cul-de-sacs were frustrating. He is allowed one off-night though.
Olivier Giroud (ST): 6/10
Like last week he struggled in terms of opportunities and was clearly inhibited by a knee he received in the back in the first half. However the decision to take him off, especially when Arsenal were stepping up the gears, was strange given his poaching and importance to the build-up. Possibly could’ve been the difference had he stayed on.
Substitutions:
67′ Jack Wilshere (CM): 7/10
Came back into the side last week with a point to prove and continued that mission on Monday night. Brought on to up the tempo in attack he tied Özil with 5 key passes while also getting into a lot of dangerous areas. Didn’t have any final product on Monday but the signs continue to be encouraging.
69′ Theo Walcott (RW): 6/10
Has received a lot of criticism for that miss and while his effort was tame, Alexis’ had the better chance when one on one with Fabianski. You feel however that had Theo scored it would’ve done a great deal for his and Arsene Wenger confidence following the managers comments mid-week. Is becoming more peripheral with each game which is a worry.
