Arsenal v Newcastle: Player Ratings
Arsenal survived an excellent second half from Newcastle after controlling the proceedings for the first 45 minutes to snatch a 2-1 win and maintain their place in the table. Olivier Giroud scored a brace, making it eight goals in six matches against Newcastle. Here are your player ratings:
DAVID OSPINA
GK, Arsenal FC7.8
Made two point-saving saves, with the first coming off a header that took a deflection a couple feet in front of him and the second a fantastic leg save as he went to the ground. Came out dangerously to collect and failed to do so more than once.
CALUM CHAMBERS
RB, Arsenal FC6.9
A liability at right back in this match, he pushes forward and exposes the space behind him for opposition players to drift in to too often. Bellerin has some of the same problems, but possesses the speed to get back quickly, which Chambers does not.
GABRIEL
CB, Arsenal FC7.4
Had a very good first half but made some suspect decisions as the clock ticked toward 90′. There may come a day where he’s preferred to Mertesacker, but it’s not here yet. Still, had 7 interceptions and 11 clearances in what became a backs-to-the-wall scenario.
LAURENT KOSCIELNY
CB, Arsenal FC7.7
Won all his aerial duels and buzzed around capably in support of Gabriel. Sissoko’s goal was an issue in marking, but it looked as though he was in Gabriel’s zone. He’s Arsenal’s mainstay in the back four.
targeting a call up to the his national team. Was less reliable in possession than normal, and his style seemed to be off-kilter with the nature of the match."
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NACHO MONREAL
LB, Arsenal FC7.2
Not a tremendous day for the Spaniard who’s targeting a call up to the his national team. Was less reliable in possession than normal, and his style seemed to be off-kilter with the nature of the match.
FRANCIS COQUELIN
MID, Arsenal FC7.7
Excellent in the first half, he was quite poor for a great deal of the second until the final few minutes where he regained some traction. Completed 82% of his passes, tackled successfully 6/7 times, and had four interceptions.
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AARON RAMSEY
MID, Arsenal FC7.4
Very possibly denied Olivier Giroud his hat trick, and was one of the main players who struggled mightily in the second half. Became increasingly prone to dribbling down blind alleys, but he pays it back in his positive play and work rate.
SANTI CAZORLA
MID, Arsenal FC7.0
Cazorla and Ramsey’s heat maps look similar, though Aaron Ramsey is the actual deeper lying midfielder in the current scheme. Only completed 72% of his passing which isn’t acceptable for a player of his quality.
though it shouldn’t be) as Arsenal will need him in the coming matches."
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ALEXIS SANCHEZ
FWD, Arsenal FC 7.2
The engine is sputtering to life a little, particularly in some inventive class he showed in the box. Came out with 20 minutes to play, and that may be the extent of his rest (though it shouldn’t be) as Arsenal will need him in the coming matches.
DANNY WELBECK
FWD, Arsenal FC 7.0
Had 7 successful take-ons and would have backed him to get a goal after seeing him in the early minutes. Went from bad to worse for the England lad. He may be able to play Olivier Giroud’s position, but he’s little threat to the Frenchman now.
OLIVIER GIROUD
ST, Arsenal FC8.3
MAN OF THE MATCH – Arsenal’s main man, Giroud bagged a brace and could have had a third if not for some timely interceptions from Aaron Ramsey. He moves wider than he ever has, dragging open the channels in the middle of the pitch, and his flick for the first off his knee was great. The header was a flashback to Everton, seeing him hold off the defender and drive the ball flat-footed past the keeper.
MATHIEU FLAMINI
MID, Arsenal FC 6.8
Came on to shore up the defense in support of Coquelin and very nearly cost Arsenal the win with a horrendously misplaced pass. Francis Coquelin is and will be the man in defensive midfield.
TOMAS ROSICKY
MID, Arsenal FC 7.0
Completed 12/12 of his passes in the twenty minutes he saw, but the match wasn’t quite open enough for him to flex his creative muscle. Did find Chambers down the right touchline with a pinpoint pass to help relieve pressure on the Arsenal defense.
HECTOR BELLERIN
RB, Arsenal FC 6.5
Arsenal’s current first-choice right back so nearly found Giroud his third, but Krul dealt with the pass well enough.
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