Arsenal player ratings v Stoke: 28-year-old is 9/10 stunner
COMMENT by Russell Edge
Football Insider rates the Arsenal players after their convincing 4-1 away at Stoke on Saturday.
Cech 8 – Denied Bruno Martins-Indi with a brilliant fingertip save just after the hour mark. Had no chance with Peter Crouch’s handled goal. Pulled off another great save down to his right with five minutes left.
Koscielny 7 – Was caught out by Crouch for Stoke’s goal, as he seemed to duck out of the aerial challenge. Other than that, dealt with pretty much everything Stoke threw at the Gunners.
Mustafi 7 – Forced an outstanding save from Stoke keeper Jack Butland with a smart header in the first half. Made a reckless lunge to earn himself a yellow card.
Holding 7 – Put in a very solid performance alongside his defensive partners. Nothing spectacular but very effective.
Bellerin 8 – His attacking instinct saw him make two assists from the right flank. He made an excellent run which led to him setting up the opener, before laying the ball off for Sanchez to grab the third. Worked immensely hard up and down the wing all day.
Coquelin 7 – Provided a lot of energy to hassle and harry the Stoke midfield. Not as noticeable as the rest of his midfield team mates but performed his role as his manager would have wanted.
Xhaka 7 – Looked much more confident in the new 3-4-3 formation. Worked as a pivot in the midfield feeding the ball to his team mates and demonstrated the ability which saw the Gunners invest in him in the first place.
Monreal 8 – Did well to force a header onto the post in the first half. Like Bellerin on the other flank, provided a dangerous attacking outlet while remaining resolute when defending. The new 3-4-3 formation suits his energetic style of play, while his work ethic means the system works effectively.
Sanchez 9 – The 28-year-old provided possibly the pass of the season for Mesut Ozil’s goal. He waited until the optimum moment to provide an inch-perfect pass to dissect the Stoke defence. Pushed himself through the pain barrier to hit home the Gunners’ third. A stunner of a performance.
Ozil 8 – Finished off a flowing move to aplomb as he silenced his doubters with a confident strike. Worked much harder than in previous matches and dictated play from the middle.
Giroud 8 – Found himself in the right place time not once but twice to grab a brace. His first strike saw him score possibly the easiest goal of his career thanks to Bellerin’s low cross. Sealed the deal 10 minutes from time with a sliding finish to convert Aaron Ramsey’s cross.
Subs:
Ramsey (Sanchez 77′) 8 – Could have had an immediate impact as he forced a smart save from Butland minutes after stepping on to the pitch. Set up Giroud with a smart ball across the box with 10 minutes left.
Welbeck (Ozil 83′) 6 – Did very little after coming on the pitch, which will have disappointed his manager.
Walcott (Giroud 83′) 6 – Had very little chance to make an impact but did try and threaten the Stoke defence with his pace.
In other Arsenal transfer news, the Gunners are set to battle it out against their Premier League rivals so sign this full-back.
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