[PLAYER RATINGS] Arsenal 2-1 Dortmund: We’ve Only Got One Song

Arsenal produced a very professional display for 90 minutes against Borussia Dortmund (followed by 2 minutes of school-boy defending) to win 2-1 and seal top spot in their Champions League group. Dortmund were the better side in a dull first half as Arsenal never really got going. But the Gunners were easily the better side in the second period and deserved to ahead.

Not surprisingly it was Robin van Persie who got the goals once again, but much of the plaudits should go to Alex Song who was superb throughout but most notably his Messi-like skills that lead to the opener. Great skill and a pin-point cross. The defence was solid for much of the game and dealt with the Germans attacking threat very well. They deserved a clean sheet but some silly defending from Song and Djourou spoiled what was a great night on the whole for the defence.  Here are my match ratings:

Player Ratings:

Szczesny – 6.5 – Bossed his area well and made a couple of routine saves. Very little to do in the second half, until the last minute. Good to have someone shouting at and organising the players at set pieces for a change!

Koscielny – 7.5 – Very solid display for the Frenchman. Arsenal look far more solid with him at right back, as opposed to Djourou or the inexperienced Jenkinson. Strangle decision by Wenger to substitute him with less than 10 minutes remaining. Coincidently the Dortmund goal came from our right side, after Kos had departed.

Vermaelen – 8 – Another great display by Vermaelen. A calming influence on the back line and vital if the Gunners are to achieve anything this season.

Mertesacker – 7 – Kept it simple and dealt well with everything Dortmund could throw at him.

Santos – 7 – Very good performance from Santos. Only caught out a couple of times, which is an improvement for him, and dangerous going forward.

Song – 9 – MOTM – Superb second half display from Song. Unbelievable assist for the opener and bossed the midfield. Only blot on his score-card was him failing to clear his lines which lead to the Dortmund goal. Put it in row Z next time Alex!!!

Ramsey – 7 – Decent display from our young Welshman. Full of running as ever. Unlucky to be booked by some petty refereeing.

Arteta – 7 – Good game from Arteta. Showed off his under-rated defensive side with some dogged play.

Gervinho – 6 – Disappointing from Gervinho. He wasted a great chance to get on the scoresheet and never seemed settled in the game.

Walcott – 6.5 – Like Gervinho, Walcott was disappointing on the whole. Didn’t get in the game and didn’t take on the full-back enough, even when he was on a booking. Also got himself booked for a silly reaction, most likely brought on by frustration.

Van Persie – 8.5 – Would usually be MOTM but his cabinet is full of champagne bottles so i thought i’d give someone else a go. Another match-winning display from captain-vantastic. Kept up his extraordinary goal-scoring run with another double. Superb. I bet I wasn’t the only one to breath a sigh of relief when he picked himself up after being caught on the ankle in the second half!

SUBS:

Benayoun – 6.5 – Lively 20 minutes from Yossi. Put himself about, created some attacks and even got booked for a late challenge.

Djourou – 6 – Brought on for Koscielny with 10 minutes left, for some odd reason. He’s not a right back and shouldn’t be played there. Along with Song, failed to clear which lead to Dortmund goal.

Diaby – n/a – on too late.

Watch the highlights from Arsenal 2-1 Borussia Dortmund