[Player Ratings] Arsenal 2-0 Montpellier: Podolski Lethal But Giroud Stars

Arsenal secured qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Montpellier at the Emirates on Wednesday night, with Jack Wilshere and Lukas Podolski on the score-sheet.

The win, coupled with Olympiakos’ defeat to Schalke, ensures we’re in the draw for the last 16 for the 13th consecutive season but we’ll still need a positive result in Greece to try and take top spot from the Germans.

The first half was pretty poor, the second half was much better. Both goals were excellent, with Olivier Giroud bagging both assists, but Podolski’s finish for the second was absolutely stunning! Here are my ratings.

Arsenal Ratings

Szczesny – 6 – Won’t have many easier games. Barely saw the ball in the second half, but made a decent save in the first period when he came out to deny Charbonnier when through on goal. Kicking was a little suspect at times though.

Sagna – 6.5 – Steady performance from Bac. Didn’t venture forward much in the first half but supported the attacks more in the second period.

Mertesacker – 7 – Untroubled at the back, won his headers and showed some nice skill at the other end, turning the defence inside out before his shot was blocked.

Koscielny – 7 – Made a couple of basic errors to give the toothless away side a sniff at goal but hit the bar with a powerful header in the first half and made some important tackles. Also saw some surging runs forward which was good to see.

Vermaelen – 7 – Involved in the first goal as his cross found the head of Giroud who knocked down for Wilshere to finish. Comfortable at the back and got forward on several occasions.

Arteta – 6 – Relatively quiet game from Mikel. Seems to have gone off the boil a little since Jack’s return. Coincidence?

Wilshere – 7.5 – Very sloppy early on as he gave away possession cheaply on several occasions, but improved as the game went on and we saw some trade-mark turns and runs. Took his goal very well and it was great to see him bursting into the box to get on the end of the knockdown.

Cazorla – 7 – Showed some beautiful footwork once again but was on the end of some rough treatment from the visitors and was taken off.

Podolski – 8 – What. A. Goal! Stunning volley shows how lethal the German is in front of goal. Could have had a couple in the first half but missed the target.

Chamberlain – 6 – Pretty quiet overall. Kept drifting into central areas in the first half but stuck to his touchline more in the second period. Nice run in the build up to the second but would like to have seen more from him. Subbed.

Giroud – 8 – He’s becoming a real handful. Works his socks off up front, wins his fair share of headers and grabbed two excellent assists. Also was unlucky not to get himself on the score-sheet. Improving all the time and he could end up one of the buys of the season.

Subs:

Ramsey – 6 – On for Chamberlain on the right wing and did OK.

Coquelin – N/A – On too late to make a real impression.

Gervinho – N/A – On too late to make a real impression.

If you missed the game or want to watch the goals again, you can watch highlights from Arsenal 2-0 Montpellier here.

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