Arsenal player ratings vs Newcastle United and match highlights
Arsenal Player ratings against Newcastle United
Olivier Giroud’s crisp flicked header from a well taken Theo Walcott free kick ensured Arsenal to end the year on a high note and move to the top of the table. The encounter at Sports Direct Arena would always be a tough encounter for the Gunners but Arsene Wenger’s boys made sure they came back with full three points in their kitty. Here is Soccersouls’ very own player ratings for Arsenal from Tyneside
Wojciech Szczesny: Made a fantastic save from Sissoko’s pile-driver at the end of the first half. The Pole did make two saves in the last forty five minutes but could have so easily conceded from Debuchy’s looping header just before the first half ended. All in all he got what he perhaps warranted out of him, a massive clean sheet.
Rating: 2.5/5
Kieran Gibbs: The young left back did great in going forward but was caught time and again by Debuchy’s and Sissoko’s incisive runs behind the back of the defence. Struggled throughout the second half before he was understandably substituted.
Rating: 2/5
Bacary Sagna: Not great but a determined performance from the Frenchman which didn’t allow Newcastle any space on the right. He must improve his crossing and balance on the ball to provide more attacking threat from his overall play.
Rating: 2.5/5
Laurent Koscielny: Spent most of the match being dragged on the left to help out Gibbs on the left, but was effective and instrumental for Arsenal’s full three points in a tough encounter.
Rating: 2.5/5
Per Mertesacker: Much like his central defensive team mate Koscielny was assured at the back at intercepting and tackling the Newcastle front line to keep Loic Remy quiet throughout the encounter.
Rating: 2.5/5
Mathieu Flamini: Did nothing great but made sure he assisted Gibbs on the left to deal with the home side’s threat from that flank. He later played in the left back role himself after Gibbs was substituted in the second half.
Rating: 2.5/5
Thomas Rosicky: Tremendous work rate from the Czech international. Not offensively, but he kept on pressing the home side throughout the game.
Rating: 3/5 (Man of the Match)
Jack Wilshere: Came back after a two match ban and was given the role to control the game from a deeper position than expected. Did okay but was out muscled by strong Newcastle midfield at times.
Rating: 2.5/5
Santi Cazorla: Not a great game for the Spaniard and lacked much of his cutting edge and running forays in the opposition half.
Rating: 2/5
The Walcott: Yet another assist for the Englishman for a clever and well taken free kick for Giroud to slot home. Walcott did look lost thanks to Davide Santon for much of the time but at the end did his job perhaps.
Rating: 2.5/5
Olivier Giroud: Scored the winner and ensured Arsenal returned home with three points in their kitty. I would say he had a mixed affair after being isolated time and again in the first half. Decent performance overall but as they say, football is a great leveller sometimes. Giroud will have a tight sleep tonight.
Rating: 2.5/5