Arsenal Player Ratings vs Reading: By Lloyd the Gooner

If you know anything about football you know that it reveals the character of a man. The first half reeked of complacency. It had the odour of arrogance. The second half and extra time saved one or two futures at the club. The manager I suspect will not forget that first half: NEITHER SHOULD WE.

That said there was an abundance of character after half time. And in Eisfeld is a star born? Here are Lloyd the Gooners’ player ratings:

Martinez. Not marked. I am not prepared to criticise a young man who may yet turn out to be a great and say something utterly unfair. Let’s put it down to inexperience.

Jenkinson 6. Part of a useless first half defence and technically not at his best going forward. But as you would expect from our Puyol – great attitude as seen in the ‘goal’.

Koscielny 5. His attitude stank the place out first half. At fault here, there and everywhere. A late header fools nobody. The only mitigation would be that he realised how bad he was and did something about it.

Djourou 5. As with others, part of a useless first half defence. Just nowhere near what we all hoped he would become. But as with his partner showed up well later on.

Miquel 4. Inapt and inept at fullback. Clearly a centre back trying his best. In my view Meade would have been a better bet from the start.

Coquelin 4. You tell me. Bad game or thought he had made it and therefore was better than the Reading players? Nowhere near his opponents first half. “Remember who you are what you are and who you represent” : Arsenal mantra.

Frimpong 4. I refuse to believe this player thought he was too good to have to run. But ineffective to say the least. Needs games, but these are games. Shake off the lethargy Manny!

Gnabry 5. Clearly a talent. Errors against Schalke tempered unrealistic expectations and tonight confirmed that talent needs to be disciplined.

Arshavin 6. Never hides and tries the ball that others won’t. But not the playmaker we need.

Chamakh 6. On his way out of the club in January still, I suspect but, as with so many others, did try from half time onwards.

Walcott 6. He is a striker. A Michael Owen. Sign da ting. Simples!

Subs.

Giroud 7. Excellent attitude. Scored and affected the game so positively.

Eisfeld 9. Technically spot on. Those who follow the club closely knew of his goal potential but we saw a virtually COMPLETE midfield performance. The impressive thing was that from the first touch he looked comfortable, unhurried and classy.

Mead 6. Had he been on throughout we would have been weakened in the air. But, we would have had a player on the pitch that at least knew the position he was playing. Did well and you can’t have too many gooners on the pitch, can you?

Agree with my ratings? Leave your opinion in the comments….

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