Arsenal Player Ratings against Leicester City
Average Gunners were held to a draw by an impressive Leicester City team that look well accustomed to life in the Premier League. The Gunners were unable to break down the defence of the newly promoted Leicester team, obviously struggling without a top quality striker that the team of Arsenal’s caliber needs. Leicester’s performance was commendable as they were well led by Captain Morgan and his defensive colleagues. Here are the player ratings for Arsenal players.
Sczcezny 3/5
Made a few important saves and the goal he conceded was a very clinical header and he was beaten all ends up. He also got into a fight with young defender Liam Moore which resulted in both of them being yellow carded. He was good while handling set-piece deliveries.
Debuchy 2.5/5
He was nowhere to be found when Schlupp raced clear to the by-line to cross for Ulloa’s equalizing header. He had a decent game otherwise but his lack of positioning for that one moment in the match led to the Gunners getting a draw out of what could have been a hard fought 1-0 win.
Koscielny 2.5/5
Now we cannot blame Koscielny for the first goal because he was suffering from a concussion he suffered moments earlier. Arsene Wenger could have brought on Chambers immediately but he risked playing Koscielny for a few minutes which led to the French defender offering no challenge to Leicester’s Armenian striker Leonardo Ulloa who headed in unmarked.
Mertesacker 2.5/5
The big German playing as the Captain had a decent game at the back. He didn’t have to do anything out of the ordinary as Leicester barely had any possession and couldn’t do much with most of their counter attacks as well.
Monreal 3/5
Nacho Monreal was good in attack as well as defence, playing his role as required. Again, when the main attack from Leicester was launched, it was Monreal who had ran out to cover for Debuchy’s position, and could not defend it.
Aaron Ramsey 2.5/5
Wasn’t at his usual consistency as some of his passes were very wayward. He also fluffed a one on one header when chances were at a premium. The delivery was slow apparently, but Schmeichel was not too close by, because of which Ramsey could have adjusted his position to shoot, but it didn’t happen and it was just another average day for the star.
Mathieu Flamini 3/5
He worked very hard in the midfield and we saw the determination and grit he put in doing the dirty job. He wasn’t spectacular but he did pop up in good defensive positions to help out his teammates. More or less had very little attacking influence.
Sanchez 3.5/5
He scored a poacher’s goal to give the Gunners an early lead, marking his first Premier League goal for the Gunners. He was there in most of the build-ups Arsenal had as they tried breaking down Leicester City. He was selfish at times but that is okay considering how poor Sanogo was.
Cazorla 3.5/5
He was the chief playmaker for the Gunners forcing Ozil wide. Though he was looking good on the ball and was part of almost all the attacks, his flair play was rather reduced as there was no Giroud to link up with him.
Ozil 3/5
He was played wide instead of central and had a decent game. His passing and dribbling was good while he put in better work rate than his usual, probably because he was facing a Leicester squad. He was feeling very leggy towards the end.
Sanogo 1.5/5
Literally did nothing to threaten Schmeichel. His positioning and control on the ball was mediocre while he looked uncomfortable on the pitch. For the first goal, he tried to shoot a lobbed ball in an awkward manner not sure when it was landing and would be fortunate that the ball ended up on Sanchez’s feet for the first goal. He would need to improve and step up as a real striker and show his potential. Arsenal haven’t yet signed a replacement for the injured Giroud and he would have to prove himself, especially as he’s yet to score for the Gunners.