Arsenal drew 0-0 with Liverpool on Monday night, in a hard fought contest between the two Champions League chasing sides.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was forced to put out a new-look back line for the game due to injuries to Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. It was evident that the defenders weren’t used to to playing with each other in a first half which the Reds dominated.
However, the North Londoners regrouped in the second period, threatening Simon Mignolet’s goal on several occasions. The dying minutes were almost all Arsenal, with the team unlucky to not come closer to scoring.
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Here is how their players matched up over the whole 90 minutes…
GK) Petr Cech, 9
This may be remembered as the game when the former Chelsea man really started his Arsenal career. After two matches where he has looked shaky, the 33-year-old pull off a few world-class saves to keep the scores level.
RB) Hector Bellerin, 6
Wasn’t able to make too much of a difference when attacking, but still got caught out going forward on a couple of occasions.
LB) Nacho Monreal, 7
Solid enough at the back, and was able to get involved in the final third on occasions. Especially helped by adding width when Alexis Sanchez cut in.
CB) Gabriel Paulista, 5
Looked off the pace in the first half, which was perhaps understandable without either of the regular centre-backs to line up alongside. Improved as the game went on.
CB) Calum Chambers, 5
Very similar to Gabriel, with both players taking some time to get used to playing with the other.