Arsenal v Galatasaray: Player Ratings

Wasn’t threatened by any significant volume of chances, but dealt with those he faced capably. Couldn’t do anything against Sneijder’s tremendous strike. Will be interesting if he automatically slots back into the starting role or if Martinez will hold the spot until he loses it.

Played well in the 76 minutes he saw, though was cautious going forward. While that’s one of the stronger parts of his game, he should put the throttle up as he regains match fitness. Made a couple wonderful tackles in dangerous positions and was steady and physical in the defensive third.

Moved into the interior from the right back position as was done against Stoke. The new-ish pairing of him and the big German weren’t exposed in the slightest tonight, though it’s curious that Wenger elects to move Mertesacker to left centre back. Missed a good header off a Ramsey free kick, but not much else went wrong.

Mertesacker has degraded to the point where he’s essentially two different players. He’s shakier and more easily exposed when not playing with Koscielny, and very reliable when he is. However, Galatasaray made no sustained threats tonight, and Mertesacker was very good in the air.

Wasn’t exposed to a great deal of trouble, as the right side of the Galatasaray defence was rocking for most of the first half thanks to Podolski and Oxlade-Chamberlain picking at them. Fast, but turns the ball over too easily outside of the final third.

Another great passing night for Flamini, who didn’t fail at a single one. But! The high-pressing Galatasaray’s manager wanted failed to materialise, and Flamini saw yellow in the first half before an incident of contact in the box could have seen him gone. It would have been harsh, but let’s not pretend the referee had any clue what he was doing tonight.

MAN OF THE MATCH- I can hear you from here. How is Ramsey not the man of the match?! He was close, but this beatdown was orchestrated by Arsenal’s dominance in midfield. The architect of that dominance was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as he ruled the middle of the park and made Felipe Melo look like a training dummy. He also contributed an assist for Ramsey’s first goal.

There were flashes of the Ramsey of last year tonight. His play to set up Podolski’s opener was intelligent, and he did very well to finish his own initial chance, passing it into the far corner. Everyone will remember that volleyed strike, as well they should. What a scintillating shot into the top corner; he made the purest contact possible. Came off feeling his hamstring, but hopefully it won’t be anything major. Then again, it’s Arsenal, so it’s probably everything major.

Displays like tonight vindicate Wenger’s reluctance to play him. He’s capable of doing some good things, but he also struggles to hit corners and he looked lost in the later stages of the match. Maybe it’s a lack of confidence, but that won’t be inspiring any from the boss.

Bit of a different Podolski tonight, in that he was very switched on in defence. His first strike came out of a cannon, and he earned an easier second with his work on the left tonight. It may be a stretch to start him against Newcastle, but if Alexis is deployed on the right and Oxlade-Chamberlain is dropped into midfield, there may be room for a clinical finisher.

Couldn’t notch another Champion’s League goal tonight, but operated well enough as the target man for this squad. The lad needs to go out on loan, because his opportunities behind Giroud and Welbeck will be sorely limited. Unless…4-4-2, anyone?

Came on at half, and was solid, picking Sneijder’s pocket a couple times. Didn’t exactly sparkle, but that’s not what was needed.

Made very little impact, though he’s a physical lad that can drop into the deep midfield and provide some shielding in comfortable scenarios.

Came on for Debuchy later on and was neither steady nor reliable. Not a big deal, as the game was won and it was his debut, but he’ll do well to learn behind Debuchy for the next couple years.