[Player Ratings] Arsenal 1-0 QPR: How The Gunners Rated

The Gunners huffed and puffed to a 1-0 home win over QPR on Saturday afternoon at the Emirates. The result MAY prove more important than the performance. Here are ‘Lloyd the Gooners’ player ratings.

Mannone 6. Steady enough today. Doesn’t inspire, but one important block near the end was vital though.

Sagna 7. Considering he had been out for so long he did really well. Nowhere near his top form but a calming influence in the main. His experience could be a big factor in the coming weeks.

Mertesacker 6. Part of a defence whose off side line is more staggered than my Saturday night walk home from the pub.

Vermaelen 6. Not really about the defence today but only just gets a six as all of them panicked at the end.

Santos 4. Early on made Wright-Philips look like Garrincha (look him up). Rallied later it has to be said. I’m sure I saw him playing for the Gunners two years ago – sadly it was for the Gunners pub over Hackney Marshes. He can’t run, tackle or head a ball. How is he an Arsenal defender? Is Arthur Daly his agent?

Arteta 7. The goal (albeit suspiciously offside) was so important for the team, the club, the manager and the board that you could argue he deserved more. Great pro but needs legs in there with him.

Cazorla 6. Super little player we all know but really needs to get forward of the ball particularly in the absence of Diaby. Then the goals will come for him and the team.

Wilshere 7. We all wondered what sort of Jack we’d see. Well it was a confident, talented, aggressive, wonderful Wilshere. The only midfielder who consistently went beyond the ball and that created gaps for others. Welcome back.

Ramsey 5. Played better once he moved from the wide position. The manager hasn’t helped him by playing him there but has a long way to go to convince as a Gunners creator.

Giroud 6. Looked cumbersome today except when he leapt like a salmon for the header that led to the goal.

Poldolski 5. Anonymous. Generally the biggest disappointment of the summer buys. As with others though much of his problem stems from the balance of the side which is not right. He is a runner into space not a dribbler and nobody is finding him often enough. When he does get the ball there are no midfielders making forward runs for him to pass to. He could still come good this season. Sort it out Arsene.

Subs

Walcott. Couple of really good crosses. Should have been on much earlier.

Gervinho. Lively, then unluckily injured.

Arshavin. Excellent cameo. Worked hard(!) and provided a fine cross that led to the goal.

If you haven’t seen the goal or highlights, you can watch them here.

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

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