[Player Ratings] Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea: How Wenger’s Boys Got On…

Arsenal lost 2-1 to Chelsea on Saturday afternoon, here are player ratings for Arsene Wenger’s men from our resident Arsenal fan ‘Lloyd the Gooner’.

For about 15 minutes of the 90 we looked like a team, the rest was all huff and puff. I thought we made Chelsea look better than they are by letting good players play. Chelsea worked harder than Arsenal, why? Here are my ratings:

Mannone 6. A ‘line’ keeper like all the current Arsenal no 1’s. He is not the answer. As for who is, jury is still out.

Jenkinson 7. Defended well. A couple of decent crosses criminally not attacked by the forwards.

Koscielny 5. At fault for both goals and frequently shaky. You could see Arsene’s logic in selecting the nimble Frenchman against the tricky Chelsea forwards but Mertesacker’s organisational skills were missed.

Vermaelen 7. Steady game but his drive going forward wasn’t as evident as usual.

Gibbs 8. Defended well and looked lively in attack. Certainly looked better than Cole.

Diaby . Not on long enough to give him a mark but his absence revealed what many feared that the midfield just isn’t athletic enough without him. The team struggles to get the ball from good sides like Chelsea. Diaby is vital to whole shape and balance and if he can’t play who can replace him? Defensively Coquelin and maybe Frimmy and hopefully the forward thrust by Jack Wishere.

Arteta 6. Ok again but needs legs alongside him.

Cazorla 7. Looked a little tired today. He kept going though and is a wonderful asset.

Ramsey 6. When he had opportunities to really make a difference during the game he fluffed his lines. It is good to see his energy though.

Gervinho 6. Part of the problem but also will have to be part of the solution. He has power and pace that must be harnessed for the benefit of the team. Nice goal.

Podolkski 6. As with Gervinho he will be useful when Arsene sorts out the midfield.

Subs

Oxlade –Chamberlain 6. Biggest impact came when he drove forward. He is an attacking midfielder in essence and when asked to win the ball and drop deep he just isn’t the same player. Looks a bit overweight to me and that can’t help his fitness.

Walcott 5. Yet more evidence that he is not a winger. Is 4-4-2 the answer to the midfield and Walcott problems?

Giroud 6. Patience still required but MUST find the net regularly in the league soon or the shadow of Chamakh will loom over him.

What were your player ratings for the game? Get involved in the comments section.

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