Giroud and Oxlade-Chamberlain among Arsenal’s best performers.
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Arsenal suffered their first home Premier League defeat since August 2013 on Saturday night as Manchester United left the Emirates Stadium as 2-1 victors.
The Gunners bossed the first half, but were unable to find a way past United goalkeeper David de Gea, who was on top form.
United punished Arsenal after the break, as an own goal from Kieran Gibbs and a cheeky chip from Wayne Rooney put the visitors 2-0 up.
Substitute Olivier Giroud netted an excellent volley on his return from injury, but an equaliser never looked likely.
Here’s how Arsene Wenger’s men rated…
GK: Wojciech Szczesny 5/10
United did not register a single shot on target during Szczesny’s 59 minutes on the pitch, but the big Pole managed to produce a cock-up to help the Red Devils score a goal. He flapped at a cross, which fell to Antonio Valencia, whose off-target effort deflected in off Gibbs. To make things worse, Szczesny injured himself in the act of flapping.
RB: Calum Chambers 7/10
Made an excellent last-ditch tackle to stop Wayne Rooney just before half time. Got forward a lot, but produced very little in attacking areas.
CB: Per Mertesacker 6/10
Kept United’s star-studded attackers quiet for most of the match, but was too exposed in the second half, when the Gunners over-committed in attack.
CB: Nacho Monreal – 6/10
Clearly does not enjoy playing at centre-back, but he did a reasonable job.
LB: Kieran Gibbs – 6/10
Was subdued in an attacking sense, but that was mainly because he was focussed on helping out Monreal. Was very unfortunate with the own goal, but it stemmed from a lack of communication between he and Szczesny.
CM: Mikel Arteta 5/10
Off the pace. Obviously not at full fitness.
CM: Aaron Ramsey 6/10
The pick of a very poor midfield bunch for Arsenal.
CM: Jack Wilshere – 4/10
Missed a glorious chance to put Arsenal ahead early on, shooting straight at De Gea. Wilshere should have been sent off moments later for a head-butt on Marouane Fellaini. He was eventually forced off the field, after picking up yet another injury.
AM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7/10
Worked exceptionally hard and looked like Arsenal’s most likely source of inspiration.
AM: Alexis Sanchez – 6/10
He has been excellent against the smaller teams, but Alexis once again failed to deliver under the pressure of a ‘big game’.
FW: Danny Welbeck – 6/10
United sold Welbeck because his finishing was not good enough. The England striker’s lack of competence in front of goal was all too clear today.
Subs:
CM: Santi Cazorla – 5/10
Better than Wilshere, but only just.
GK: Damian Martinez – 5/10
Nothing more than a spectator for most of his cameo appearance. Perhaps went to ground a tad early for Rooney’s goal.
ST: Olivier Giroud – 7/10
Great to see him back after his broken leg. The Frenchman was on the field for little more than 15 minutes, but he still came up with a stunning goal to give the Gooners something to cheer.
