[PLAYER RATINGS] Arsenal 1-2 Man Utd: End Of The Road For Wenger?

Arsenal slumped to a third consecutive loss after Manchester United ran out 2-1 winners at the Emirates this afternoon. As the main writer for all things Arsenal here on Football-Talk, it’s not been easy writing match previews or player ratings posts in recent weeks.

However, this article is going to be relatively simple. This game was an entirely predictable affair, so simple in fact, that i could have written this post before the game had even kicked off. All the Arsenal fans i spoke to before the match were saying the same thing, and we all predicted how the game would pan out. Sadly we were correct.

Arsenal have no full backs, United had two direct wingers with pace in Nani & Valencia; there was only going to be one outcome. Fergie is astute enough to pick out opposition weaknesses and exploit them, and he did just that. No surprise that the opener came from a cross as Nani targeted Djourou at any given opportunity in the first half.

Arsenal were better in the second and started to create chances. Chamberlain was looking dangerous on the ball and set up Van Persie with a lovely pass for the equaliser.  Two minutes later and he was dragged off in place of the hapless Arshavin. Every man and his dog were left bemused by the decision, but the most worrying reaction was that of Van Persie. Take note Arsene, once you lose the confidence of your best player and captain, the ending is never a pretty one.

Arsene had now turned the crowd from supporting the players and pushing for an unlikely winner, to venting their anger at him. With one  ridiculous decision the manager had changed the complexion of the game in United’s favour. United duly netted the winner after Chamberlains replacement, Arshavin, let Valencia walk past him in to the box and set up Welbeck to fire home.

Man Utd deserved the win on the day and a chorus of boos rang out at the final whistle. Who can blame them? Wenger has never received such abuse and the number of Arsenal fans calling for his head grows by the day.

The manager has set himself up for this great fall. Three weeks ago he said it would be ‘foolish’ for Arsenal to drop points due to the lack of full-backs available at the club. Well three defeats and 9 points dropped later, who’s the foolish one now?

Here are my player ratings from the game.

Arsenal Player Ratings

Szczesny – 7 – Could do nothing about either goal and was again exposed by woeful defending. Took most crosses well and made a couple of decent stops.

Djourou – 4 – Roasted by Nani and Evra throughout the first half. Replaced at half time by an 18-year-old rookie. Should never play at right back again.

Mertesacker – 6 – Lack of pace was exposed by Welbeck in the second half and was lucky not to result in a goal, although to be fair to the big German he got back to clear off the line.

Koscielny – 8 – Again the best of the Arsenal back line. Great block lead to the equaliser and was solid throughout.

Vermaelen – 6.5 – Given a difficult time by Valencia and would perhaps feel he should have done better with the opener, as the United winger got in front of him to easily head home.

Song – 5 – Quiet game by his standards. Gave away silly free kicks and didn’t stamp his authority on the midfield.

Ramsey – 5 – Another disappointing display from Rambo. He’s looked out of sorts for weeks now. Passing and shooting was again below par.

Rosicky – 6 – Perhaps the best of the midfield trio but still didn’t do enough. Rosicky did look full of energy and you could at least see he was trying to make things happen though.

Walcott – 5 – Poor, again. Looks frustrated and just can’t seem to get in the game enough.

Chamberlain – 8.5 – Best Arsenal player on the pitch, lovely assist for Van Persie’s goal and was a threat throughout. Then hauled off by the boss, due to ‘fatigue’ apparently. Decisive point in the game, and arguably cost us.

Van Persie – 7 – Struggled to hold on to the ball when it was pumped up to him in the first half, although he was completely isolated by his midfield. Took his goal very well though. Did not look happy at full time. Who could blame him for leaving in the summer?

SUBS:

Yennaris – 7 – Far more comfortable up against Nani than Djourou was. Very mature performance from the young lad. Looks promising.

Arshavin – 3 – Pitiful, once again. Sloppy passing and pathetic excuse for defending lead to the winner. Should be sold in the next week, and it’s clear he WANTS to be sold. But will the ‘Professor’ listen?

Park – n/a – Only on for 5 minutes.

Man Utd Player Ratings

Apologies United fans, i don’t give detailed ratings for opposition players, just the ratings.

Lindegaard 7, Evra 8, Evans 7, Smalling 7.5, Jones 6 (Rafael 6), Valencia 8, Giggs 7, Carrick 7, Nani 7 (Scholes 6), Welbeck 8, Rooney 5.

Watch video highlights from Arsenal 1-2 Man Utd

What did you think of the game? Is it time Wenger left the club? What would your player ratings be? Please leave sensible responses in the comments section below…