Arsenal Player Ratings From The 3-1 Win Over Norwich By ‘Lloyd The Gooner’

Arsenal left it late to beat Norwich City 3-1 at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. Here writer Lloyd the Gooner gives his player ratings for the Arsenal players.

This was a lucky win! Very lucky. That said the boys made most of it. Patience in the stands too. There was some minor agitation in the crowd sat near me but the vast majority realised that the result was EVERYTHING and that was only going to happen if they were behind the team.

Fabianski 7. Quiet afternoon but one late save kept us in the lead. When it mattered he was up to it.

Sagna 6. Decent game from Bac mainly showing well going forward but battled hard as well.

Koscielny 6. Holt played like an overweight thug at closing time and Kossy had a bit to do in the game. And apart from the goal he did what was asked BUT the goal… we are useless at defending set pieces aren’t we?

Vermaelen 6. Like his partner did most of what asked of him. I suppose neither can help being on the short side for centre backs but why not beef up the centre of midfield to compensate? Where have you gone Pat Vieira a club turns its lonely eyes to you?! (With apologies to Simon and Garfunkel)

Gibbs 6. Some duff crosses but he gave his all. We have two top players in a key position. It is going to be interesting to see how Arsene keeps both happy.

Arteta 6. A little under par. Even his passing was off. But as cool as you like with the pen and one of those who never gives less than his best in terms of effort.

Ramsey 8. In the first half was our best performer by a distance. We saw glimpses of the player we actually signed. There were good passes in abundance and massive effort form the Welshman. Kept going well and drove us on late on from right back.

Cazorla 6. Passed poorly, shot wastefully and generally under-performed but didn’t hide on an off day like some do.

Wilshere 5. Not his day. His ‘burst’ just wasn’t there. Perhaps a worry since his lay-off was relatively short but hopefully Everton will suffer the backlash in mid-week.

Gervinho 4. Really poor. His decision making was at least consistent…he got every single one wrong! A waste of a shirt. Arsene please take note. If somebody is prepared to pay us…take the money. Subbed very early (for Wenger) I hope that means the boss has finally run out of patience.

Giroud 7. At times he makes you want to run onto the pitch and trap the ball for him and at others he looks like a real force. When our tails were up he looked a player, worryingly in a lacklustre first half when he was absent without leave.

Subs:

Walcott. Lively showing, but not a winger…as ever. Put the effort in and helped create the pressure under which Norwich crumbled.

Podolski. One thumping effort hit the bar and scored with another. He also mis-controlled a couple, one in front of goal. That is typical of what we have seen over the season as a whole, the proverbial curate’s egg, good in parts.

Oxlade Chamberlain. A really lively contribution from him. Attacked from midfield which we all know is where he will eventually play.

The Boss. Please deal with the mediocrity at our club. But even more importantly sign REAL class that can make a difference.

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