[Player Ratings] Stoke 1-0 Arsenal: Gunners Unlucky But Poor In Attack

Arsenal slumped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat away at Stoke today. The game was a feisty affair that lacked quality and was ultimately decided by a contentious penalty awarded against Laurent Koscielny when the ball struck his arm in the area. Johnathon Walters converted and Arsenal couldn’t find a way back.

Arsenal will also feel Charlie Adam and Glen Whelan should have been dismissed for stamps on Olivier Giroud with the score at 0-0, which would certainly have changed the result, but the Gunners were overall disappointing going forward. Here are my ratings:

Szczesny 7/10

Went the wrong way for the penalty but was otherwise solid. Made a couple of fine saves, one from Whelan in the first half was particularly impressive.

Sagna 6.5/10

A constant outlet down the right hand side but his distribution wasn’t always accurate.

Gibbs 6.5/10

Like Sagna, he was always bombing forward to join in the attacks but again lacked a final ball. Was given a tough time by Walters at times.

Mertesacker 7/10

Was an assured presence at the back once again and made some important interceptions, but was given a tough days work by Crouch. One of the few players in the league who can match him for height!

Koscielny 7/10

Was having a pretty comfortable afternoon until the penalty incident. Allowing the ball to bounce was his first mistake but was unfortunate when the referee pointed to the spot when the loose ball struck his arm at head height.

Arteta 8/10

Was excellent in midfield. Fought well against the physical Stoke side and protected the back-four when needed.

Wilshere 6/10

Disappointing afternoon for Wilshere. The flow of the game (or lack of it) didn’t suit his style and he found it difficult to get things going.

Podolski 6/10

Handed another start on the left side but didn’t do enough to convince Arsene Wenger he deserves a regular spot in the team. Wasted one good chance in the first half to test the keeper when he sliced wide.

Cazorla 6.5/10

The little Spaniard was a threat when he saw the ball but just couldn’t get himself in the game enough.

Rosicky 6.5/10

His pressing and energy was important, particularly in the first half, but couldn’t create anything of note.

Giroud 6/10

Was on the wrong end of two poor ‘challenges’ from Adam and Whelan, but also lost out in the physical battle with Shawcross. The service to him was lacking, but he simply didn’t do enough with it when he did see the ball.

Subs:

Ozil 6/10: Was inches wide from finding the bottom corner from a decent shot but did little else.

Oxlade-Chamberlain 8/10: Should certainly have started as we only really looked like scoring when he came on. Was a real threat down the right and set-up Sanogo for what should have been the equaliser.

Sanogo 5/10: Poor lad skied a great chance to make it 1-1 in the final minute.

What were your ratings from the game? Was a defeat a fair result? Share your views below.