[PLAYER RATINGS] Arsenal 1-1 Wolves: Gunners Blow Their Chance….

Arsenal blew the chance to move in to fourth position in the league after somehow only managing a 1-1 draw with Wolves at the Emirates.

Arsenal started well and opened the scoring through Gervinho and had chances to put the game to bed, but Wolves got their break and drew level through Fletcher who headed home a deflected shot. The second half was as one-sided as you’ll ever see with Arsenal camped in the Wolves half but the winner never arrived.

Many fans will point to the visitors keeper who had one of those days where he saved everything during a second half on-slaught. Some will also rightly point to the terrible refereeing performance. Maybe some will rue poor finishing or chalk it down to being a bad day at the office.

All of the above are true, but I however, will once again point some of the ‘blame’ on Wenger’s substitutions and the lack of depth on the Arsenal bench. Not for the first time this season, when Arsenal are in need of some attacking impetuous Arsene has turned to Andrey Arshavin and Marouance Chamakh. And not for the first time, both have failed miserably to offer anything of substance.

What does Oxlade-Chamberlain need to do to get a chance?! With Theo out through illness, Wenger understandably gave Benayoun a rare start. I feel that Yossi has earned his start with some decent sub performances. But when the time came to change things up and replace Benayoun, why did Wenger choose to throw on the horribly out-of-form Arshavin instead of Ox!?

Over the last few days Arsene has been banging on about how he’ll give the youngster a chance. He put him on the bench and with no Theo, you’d have thought Chamberlain would have been given a few minutes at some point during the game. But no, Arshavin and Chamakh got there mandatory cameo’s where they both do nothing and the exciting youngster remained an unused substitute on the bench.

This leads me on to the next issue which is the obvious lack of talent in attacking areas on the bench. If Wenger isn’t going to give a chance to players like Chamberlain who actually have futures at Arsenal, throw out the dead wood (Chamakh & Arshavin) and bring in a couple of game-changers. It’s clear that the two aforementioned players are not good enough. When we’re up against a well organised team and the game is level with 30 minutes to go, we turn to the bench and the best we’ve got is Arshavin and Chamakh?! Not good enough. We need at least one striker and another creative wide man in January if we have a chance of a top-four finish.

Anyway, a disappointing and frustrating game today. Yes Arsenal created a few chances but overall it was pretty average. Here are my player ratings.

Player Ratings:

Szczesny – 6 – The rating is not his fault, he must have touched the ball 3 times during the entire game. Could do nothing for the goal.

Djourou – 6 – Not a bad game from Johan. Solid enough and did his best to support in attack. Subbed late on.

Mertesacker – 7 – Dominated in the air and almost scored the winner with a fine header that was well saved.

Koscielny – 7 – Another decent display and almost won it with a late burst in to the box and his shot was saved.

Vermaelen – 7.5 – Like his defensive partners, Vermaelen also nearly won it but AGAIN, Hennessey pulled off a great stop. Was involved in the attacking play when Arsenal were trying to push for the winner.

Song – 6.5 – A little lethargic from Song, surprising given he missed the last match through suspension. Silly booking today and was subbed.

Arteta – 7 – Very good in the first half but went missing in the second when we needed to find the second goal.

Rosicky – 7 – Took his place in the middle as the advanced midfielder and put in a decent display. Turned down the chance to shoot when well placed in the first half.

Benayoun – 6.5 – Nice ball for the opener but faded as the game went on. Kept drifting inside leaving the right wing unoccupied. Subbed.

Gervinho – 7 – Took his goal well and was lively throughout, but again his final ball was not good enough and tended to keep hold of the ball too long.

Van Persie – 7 – A rare off day from the Dutchman. Twice he had poor touches on his right foot when he was through on goal and also failed to convert a couple of other decent chances. Forced Hennessey in to a couple of great saves from free-kicks. Frustrating day for Robin.

SUBS:

Arshavin – 5 – Disinterested, lack of effort and lack of quality. Must go in January.

Ramsey – 7.5 – Very lively when he came on and looked hungry.

Chamakh – 5 – Little time to do anything. Most notable contribution was to get in RVP’s way when they both challenged for a cross.

Watch video highlights from Arsenal 1-1 Wolves here

Remember these are just my personal opinions and feel free to leave your own player ratings in the comments section…