[Player Ratings] Arsenal 7-1 Blackburn: This Result Has Been Coming….

Arsenal 7-1 Blackburn. This kind of result has been on the cards for months. I wrote a post the other day about Arsenal being able to create plenty of chances but just needed to start sticking them away, maybe the players read it?

The key was getting an early goal and putting our chances away. We had 16 shots at goal today and scored seven goals. We had 13 shots at goal against Bolton, yet scored none. We always create opportunities, it’s taking them that’s been the issue. Hopefully today will give some players that extra confidence in front of goal.

Yes, it ‘was only Blackburn’ as some Arsenal fans have been saying, it’s not time to get too carried away and we only really started to pick them apart when Givet was sent off, but let’s not pick holes in what was a great team performance and an important moral boosting win.

The whole team was outstanding, of course Van Persie may grab the headlines for the hat-trick but for me the front three were all unplayable. Chamberlain deserves all the praise in the world for his display. He bagged his first two Premier League goals and the finishes were deadly. This lad is going to be a real star. He’s very different to Theo at 18. When Theo came on the scene we were excited because he was so quick. But with Chamberlain, he’s got the pace but it’s his all-round play that stands out. He can dribble, his passing is good, he tracks back to help out the defence, he can finish….he’s got the lot.

Walcott was also superb. Much better than in recent weeks. Two great assists for van Persie  and a superb run to set up Chamberlain but the key was that his team mates were finally playing the ball in behind the defenders in to space for Theo to run in to, and not playing it to his feet. Theo likes to make runs in behind, not have it to feet and then have to think about what to do with the ball.

Arteta pulled the strings in midfield and took his goal well, thats 5 goals in 20 games for Mikel in the league this season. 1 in 4 is a very reasonable return for a midfield player. Henry’s late goal was the perfect way to round off the afternoon. The deflection was a little fortunate but who would begrudge the great man a slice of luck?

So three points in the bag and now just two points off fourth place. I think it’s safe to say we’ll all be cheering on United this Sunday and hopefully they can beat Chelsea at the Bridge. I’m never going to hope for a Spurs victory, so i’ll take a draw at Anfield! Then it’s game on. Here are my ratings from today.

Player Ratings

Szczesny – 6 – Got a hand to the Pedersen free-kick and although it was a stunning strike, the Pole may feel he could have done better. Hardly touched the ball apart from that.

Coquelin – 7.5 – Superb at right back. I think we’ve found our back up for Sagna. Full of running, always supporting Theo in attack, nice assist for Van Persie’s third and overall a very promising performance.

Mertesacker – 7 – Comfortable afternoon for the big man. Won’t have many easier days in the Premier League as Blackburn offered nothing in attack, especially once they were down to 10-men.

Koscielny – 7 – See above, but the only other thing to note was the silly foul he gave away that lead to Blackburn’s goal.

Vermaelen – 7 – Got forward on occasion and unlucky not to score when he hit the post.

Song – 8 – Much better from Song. Showed off his passing range with some lovely through-balls and general play was terrific. Hugely improved from recent displays.

Arteta – 8.5 – Excellent from the Spaniard. Ran the show with Song in the middle. Pass completion rate of 94% and took his goal very well. Really missed him in recent weeks.

Rosicky – 7 – Looked more dangerous than Ramsey in the ‘play maker’ role but still lacked that final product. Tidy passing but over-shadowed by his team mates.

Walcott – 9 – Finally the Arsenal players put the ball in to space for Theo to get on to, instead of playing it to his feet!! A terrific display from Theo. Two great assists for Van Persie, and another for Chamberlain. A far more intelligent performance. More of the same please!

Chamberlain – 9.5 – Stunning performance. Dribbling was superb, two composed finishes, bags of energy and does his fair share of tracking back. This kid is the real deal.

Van Persie – 10 – Another devastating display. All three goals were almost carbon-copies of each other, but the third in particular was a great finish. Superb pass for Chamberlains first and also set up Henry. 3 goals, 2 assists. Simply unplayable.

SUBS:

Henry – 7 – The King got his first Premier League goal in 5 years. It was a little lucky, as it deflected off the defender, but who cares! Great way to round off the perfect afternoon.

Sagna – 6 – Slotted in at left back for the last 20 minutes and did what was required to see the game out. Great to have him back.

Benayoun – 6 – Unlucky with a neat half-volley that went straight at Robinson. Not on for long.

Watch video highlights from Arsenal 7-1 Blackburn

Those are my ratings, feel free to leave yours in the comments section below…