It’s started! Did you miss it? Theo tripping over the ball in front of the goal? Coquelin living on the edge of a red card for 60 minutes? So exciting!
How to rate the players after a match like that? Arsenal don’t make anything easy.
Petr Čech – 6
That first goal he conceded was definitely unstoppable but he perhaps could and should have reacted better for others, generally didn’t look too convincing to me today.
Hector Bellerin – 6.5
Bellerin did okay but nothing much.
Rob Holding – 6
It was Rob’s Premier League debut that I’m sure should have come a lot later in the season but oh well. He had to do better in some situations but I *can* understand. Saw a tweet saying he played on his level – Championship, and that might be close to the truth.
Calum Chambers – 6.5
Oh man. I struggled with this rating. He scored a goal although he barely touched it. He had a few horror passes and I was generally worried about our defence. Definitely not looking good.
Nacho Monreal – 6.5
Nacho was like Hector but maybe slightly more involved. Had the most touches out of any Arsenal players.
Francis Coquelin – 6
He got to play for 90 minutes when I hoped he’d stay in the changing room after 45 minutes. Always on the verge of 2nd yellow, doing typical Coquelin tackles, and half injured (according to reports).
Mohamed Elneny – 6.5
Elneny was good and I wish he had stayed on. He was decent in midfield but didn’t do much to make a difference. Still amazed how we got him so cheap (#positives).
Aaron Ramsey – 6.5
Aaron sadly got injured, hopefully not too serious. He looked good, created attacks and had a shot or two on goal but nothing special.
Theo Walcott – 6.5
Another one I struggled with. Won a penalty, missed a penalty, scored a great goal, then more or less disappeared until he tripped over the ball in front of the goal. Walcott. That’s the special rating everyone understands.
Alex Iwobi – 6.5
Iwobi provided a great assist for Theo’s goal and even got a yellow before he was sadly injured. He played okay and maybe could have done even more if he wasn’t forced to get off.
Alexis Sanchez – 6
Alexis Sanchez is not a striker. He was invisible most of the time and struggling when he did get the ball.
SUBS
Santi Cazorla – 7
Yes, I’m giving the best rating to the sub. Santi had TWO assists in half an hour and I’m baffled why he didn’t start. Our best midfielder at the moment.
Granit Xhaka – 6
Not a stellar debut for Granit Xhaka and probably a good decision he didn’t start in the end. No shock he got a yellow card as well. He will get better.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6.5
Ox scored our 2nd goal while we were moaning about Liverpool’s 4th. He was his usual self. Maybe should have started due to great pre-season he had.
