[Player Ratings] Everton 3-0 Arsenal: Poor Gunners Slump Continues

Arsenal slumped to yet another disappointing away defeat with Everton running out 3-0 winners at Goodison Park on Sunday. Here are player ratings from Gooner Mac.

It was yet another abject away performance from a team clearly lacking any desire or guidance. It’s truly baffling how bad we’ve become in such a short space of time, and injuries are NOT the only reason for our drastic dip in form.

The hosts had their fair share of luck with a couple of the goals as the rebounds fell kindly to them, the second goal should arguably have been disallowed as Naismith was interfering with Szczesny’s view and we should have had a penalty in the second half at 2-0, but Everton were by far the better side and deserved their victory.

Here are my ratings from the game:

Szczesny 6/10

Was unfortunate with the first and third goals, while he was unsighted for the second. The Pole made a couple of decent saves as well but was given no protection from his defence.

Sagna 6/10

Was one of the only players who can say he really tried today. His crossing wasn’t great but at least he was trying to get forward and did OK at the back.

Mertesacker 4/10

Well below par from the big German and he just doesn’t seem to like playing alongside Vermaelen. The sooner Koscielny returns, the better.

Vermaelen 3/10

At fault for the first as he should have cut out Baines’ cross, and was also guilty of allowing Lukaku to cut in and score the second. Caught out of position on several occasions.

Monreal 3/10

Also at fault for the first and second goals, and the hosts were having a field day down his left-side. Looked well short of his best.

Flamini 5/10

Not one of his better performances but was pretty-much being asked to do the job of two men with Arteta next to him.

Arteta 3/10

Another very poor display. I think most Arsenal fans will now agree the Spaniard’s best days are well behind him and his lack of pace is being badly exposed. He simply couldn’t cope against the likes of McCarthy and Barkley and his day was summed up by the own goal.

Rosicky 4/10

Offered very little in all honesty. Just couldn’t get any sort of link-up going with the other forward players.

Cazorla 4.5/10

Showed a little more advanture than Rosicky to make things happen but was still way short of his best.

Podolski 4.5/10

Wasn’t in the game that much but at least he was trying to get shots off at goal. A couple of deflected efforts could have caused more problems on another day.

Giroud 4/10

Another hapless display. He didn’t have much to work from as he had little support, but when he did see the ball he was found wanting and Distin dealt with him easily. Giroud really isn’t the answer up front if we want to challenge for the title next season.

Subs:

Ramsey: 5/10 – Looked fresher than I though he would after over 3 months out. His return is a welcome one.

Oxlade-Chamberlain: 5.5/10 – Why Arsene didn’t start him is beyond me. His pace and enthusiasm made a difference and he almost scored a worldy, but smacked the bar.

Sanogo: 5/10 – Was unfortunate to have a goal wrongly chalked off for offside.

So we’re now in a real battle to hang on to fourth place and Arsene Wenger has some serious questions to answer. He just doesn’t seen to be able to motivate the players anymore and we showed a distinct lack of ideas, desire or fight in this game. We need to pick ourselves up quickly as we have an FA Cup semi-final next week, which has taken on even more significance.

You can watch the goals from the game here

What were your ratings from the game? Share your views below.