Arsenal Player Ratings vs Aston Villa: Midfield Balance The Problem For Gunners

Arsenal drew 0-0 with Aston Villa on a wet and windy Saturday evening at Villa Park. Here are player ratings for Arsene Wenger’s men from ‘Lloyd the Gooner’.

The weather was awful. The playing conditions likewise. The team did not lack effort. That said the creativity was almost non-existent and the team always looked vulnerable. Why? The midfield balance is all wrong. Sort it Arsene! How could we let Song leave without an adequate replacement? Eyes on Charlton everyone to see how Manny Frimpong does. And on Wenger/Gazidis to see what happens in the January transfer window. Here are my ratings:

Arsenal player ratings

Szczesny 7. Decent game from the big man. Tipped one on to the bar and steady in very difficult conditions for keeping.

Jenkinson 6. Defended well but lacks a creative spark so needed in a modern full back. Good power in the difficult conditions though and that was needed yesterday.

Mertesacker 7. Up against the Villa strength i.e. their centre forward and Agbonlahor and did well overall.

Koscielny 7. Continued his good recent form. His runs from deep were a feature and arguably he could have done even more of it.

Gibbs 6. Decent enough return.You can see that he can really add something to the team. Lasted ok too considering his recent absence. Just stay fit Kieran.

Arteta 6. Usual story. The ultimate professional in the wrong position.

Ramsey 7. I thought he did well. One of the few that thrived in the difficult weather and pitch conditions. His work rate was very good and he did try to provide something going forward. But the midfield was one of the problem areas and he carries his some of the blame for that.

Cazorla 5. Needs a rest, simple as that. The conditions didn’t help the wee man either. Ponderous about the pitch and in his thinking.

Oxlade-Chamberlain 5. Hardly beat a man all evening. Reasonably lively at the start but quickly faded. In his defence he is not a winger. He also worked hard.

Giroud 7. He is like a pendulum. One good thing, one awful thing, one good… etc But most of the better stuff we played went through him. He needs the balance in our team to be right to be at his best and it clearly isn’t at the moment.

Podolski 5. He also is player waiting for a team. I wouldn’t be too critical until we get the balance right.

Subs

Gervinho. I didn’t see anything from him, did you?

Arshavin. One good cross that was it.

Coquelin. One bad cross that was it!

What were your ratings from the game? Leave your opinions in the comments section.