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.
CM) Francis Coquelin, 7
Was an important influence when they were under pressure in the first 45 minutes, but showed his limitations when asked to help with attacks in the second half.
CM) Santi Cazorla, 6
Struggled with Liverpool’s pressing early on, and it wasn’t until after the break that he was able to start controlling possession.
CAM) Mesut Ozil, 7
Excellent on the ball as always, but the Germany international needs to start affecting these kind of games more if he is going to be thought of as one of the best players in the division.
LAM) Alexis Sanchez, 6
Not at his all-action best, but that is to be expected after he played in the Copa America over the summer.
RAM) Aaron Ramsey, 7
One of few players on the pitch who looked like making something happen, but his efforts were slightly off today.
ST) Olivier Giroud, 5
Didn’t have a huge amount of service, but did miss one gilt-edged chance in the second half.
SUB) Theo Walcott, 5
His pace was nullified by a deep-lying Liverpool defence, and wasn’t able to make a difference after coming on.
SUB) Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 8
Several lung-busting runs troubled Brendan Rodgers’ defence, and he tested Mignolet with a few shots. Despite being on for just ten minutes, the England international did enough to suggest he should have started.