Arsenal made hard work of their game against relegation fodder, Stoke, on Easter Sunday.
The match was dire for the first hour until Alexandre Lacazette’s introduction sparked Arsenal into life.
But on a day of poor performances across the team, did anyone stand out?
3Attack
Mesut Ozil 7.5
Didn’t enjoy the best of afternoons, like the rest of the team, but his through ball for Auba on the 70th minute was probably the best Arsenal moment of the match. Goals aside, obviously.
He also won the first penalty when he weaved his way into the box and appeared to stub his foot into the ground as he tried to do a dinked pull-back. The defender was close enough to make it look like it was a foul and the referee pointed to the spot.
Still managed to play six key passes while the rest of the Arsenal team only managed 10 between them.
I’ve seen some people claim he was one of Arsenal’s worst players against Stoke which is nonsense. His passing was more accurate that Aaron Ramsey, who is being hailed in comparison by those same people, and, despite not scoring or assisting only Aubameyang outperformed him on the day – and he scored two goals!
Danny Welbeck 4
Was he on the pitch? He must have been because he was taken off.
Replaced by Lacazette, a substitution that was very well received within the ground.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 7
Aubameyang’s limitations are painfully evident when he’s deprived of service and that’s exactly what happened against Stoke for the first hour. He thrives in the penalty box and if Arsenal can’t even get the ball to him in those areas he can’t really be expected to do much.
Had a chance to open the scoring for Arsenal when he was played through by the most sublime ball from Mesut Ozil but hit it straight into Jack Butland’s chest who did well. Stepped up for the penalty and tucked him home with confidence to break the deadlock.
Auba made the points safe 10 minutes later with a quality finish from 12 yards out giving Butland no chance. It was a perfect demonstration of poise and technique when it comes to striking a rising ball.
Letting Laca take the second penalty instead of claiming his own hattrick was a class move from a player who is more of a team-player than Alexis Sanchez ever was.