[PLAYER RATINGS] Swansea 3-2 Arenal: Things Need To Change Arsene

Once again Arsenal blew the chance to take advantage of the opportunity to close the gap on Chelsea and Spurs and put some daylight between us and Liverpool.

Both Liverpool and the Spuds drew at home yesterday, so a win today was vital. But we produced yet another disappointing display and once again we have to discuss poor refereeing decisions and individual mistakes.

Yet another penalty decision went against us and it really changed the game. At 1-0 Arsenal were looking ok, but the penalty gave Swansea a golden opportunity to get back in the game and get the crowd going.

However, Arsenal really only have themselves to blame for the defeat. Sloppy play and basic errors lost us this game. Ramsey was terrible and Miquel was caught out of position for both the second and third goals. Szczesny will also be disappointed with the Swansea winner.

Some fans are venting their anger at Arsene Wenger but we need to keep things in perspective. Wenger was without the services of twelve players today, six of which are regarded as first team players. Any side would miss Sagna, Vermaelen, Gibbs/Santos, Wilshere, Arteta and Gervinho. Not to mention the numerous back-up players who’re also out.

It’s easy to look back now and say Chamberlain, Henry and Rosicky should have started instead of Walcott, Arshavin and Benayoun but the players have let the boss down today. For once Wenger made the right substitutions and really went for it when taking Mertesacker off for Chamberlain. But individual errors and a lot of below par performances lead to this defeat more than Wenger’s team selection.

The only possible exclusion is the case of Andrey Arshavin. He really hasn’t earn’t his place in the side against United next week but it’s highly unlikely the boss will throw in Henry or Chamberlain in from the start. I would prefer either to play in front of the Russian, but it seems Wenger is intent on playing him whilst Gervinho is away. I think Arsene needs to be brave now and either play Chamberlain or Henry on the left and drop Arshavin, or if he’s adamant Andrey is going to play how about drop Ramsey and play Arshavin in his preferred central position behind Van Persie.

Either way, Arshavin on the left isn’t really working and Ramsey’s poor form is a worry. Mixing things up against Man Utd might just be what the doctor ordered as Arsenal have been very stale in recent weeks. How about a new signing? No, that’s just being silly isn’t it?

As bad as Arsenal were, we should applaud Swansea as well. They were superb and passed us off the park at times. They pressed all over the pitch when Arsenal had the ball and used it well when in possession. A very impressive display from the Swans. How about Brenden Rodgers to replace Arsene when he finally leaves?!

Anyway, here are my player ratings from todays game.

Player Ratings

Szczesny – 6 – Kicking was poor today, and he will be disappointed was Graham’s winner. He hesitated and then got his angles wrong, and shouldn’t have been beaten so easily from a tight angle.

Djourou – 6.5 – Nice assist for Theo’s goal and got forward on occasion, also made a great tackle to prevent Sinclair getting a shot away late on. But caught out of position too often.

Koscielny – 7.5 – Best of the defenders on show today, Kos did his best to keep things together at the back. Unfortunately those around him let him down.

Mertesacker – 6 – Not his best day in an Arsenal shirt. Missed a great chance to score when the score was 2-1. Subbed for Chamberlain as Wenger went for the equaliser.

Miquel – 6 – I don’t want to be too harsh on the youngster, and it must be remembered he’s filling in at left back which isn’t his natural position. But he was caught out of position on more than one occasion and unfortunately it lead to two goals today. He did get forward more than in previous outings and put in a couple of decent crosses.

Song – 6.5 – Steady but unspectacular from Song. He dwelled on the ball a little too much and didn’t stamp him authority on the game as Swansea dominated the middle of the park.

Ramsey – 4.5 – Awful display from Rambo. Not sure i’ve ever seen him lose the ball as often as he did today. His performances have been in free-fall over the past few weeks.

Benayoun – 5 – Hardly got in the game and was very disappointing in the middle of the park. Losing possession far too often. Subbed for Rosicky.

Arshavin – 6 – Started reasonably well and played a lovely through-ball for Van Persie’s goal, but faded badly was eventually subbed.

Walcott – 6 – Took his goal very well with a lovely chipped finish, but other than that Theo was poor overall. Crossing was again below par.

Van Persie – 7 – Superb finish for the opener and worked hard to try and create openings late on, maybe tried a little too hard at times though. Should have got the second in the first half but shot straight at Vorm.

SUBS:

Rosicky – 6.5 – On for Benayoun and was far more influential but was still unable to take control of the middle of the park.

Henry – 6.5 – Thierry was unable to repeat his FA Cup heroics but showed enough to suggest he should be pushing for a start next week against United.

Chamberlain – 6.5 – Oxe didn’t have a lot of time to have an impact but he still had a positive contribution during his time on the pitch, adding some urgency to the game.

Those are my ratings, please leave your own ratings and opinions sensibly in the comments section below….