Arsenal drew 0-0 with Sunderland on Wednesday night – a result which means the away side are safe from relegation to the Championship.
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However, it was bad news for the Gunners, who were unable to learn from the mistakes of their 0-1 defeat to Swansea City on the weekend. The midfielders didn’t move the ball quickly enough, the team looked both toothless against a packed Black Cats defence and vulnerable to Sunderland counters.
Here are the player ratings…
GK) David Ospina, 7
One of the few Gunners player to emerge with some credit, the Colombian did enough to stop Sunderland scoring from several dangerous counter attacks.
RB) Hector Bellerin, 4
With the advantage of his pace taken away by the deep line of the opposing defence, the former Barcelona man didn’t add much going forward. He was also caught too far forward on occasion, with space between Mertesacker and the right touchline.
LB) Kieran Gibbs, 5
Also stifled by the Black Cats deep line, there was little end product from the England international.
CB) Per Mertesacker, 5
A player with good positioning rather than any kind of speed, he always looks out of depth against counter attacking sides. Surely the Gunners need a better centre-back to really challenge on all fronts?
CB) Laurent Koscielny, 6
Did little wrong, even when attempting to cover for his partner in defence.
CM) Santi Cazorla, 3
In the central role to add attacking impetus against a weaker side, but was unable to do so.
CB) Aaron Ramsey, 4
Restored to his favoured role in the middle after weeks playing on the wing, the Welshman was unable to play with his usual boundless energy. The slowness on the ball was fatal for Arsenal in gaining the win.
CAM) Mesut Ozil, 4
It is in games like this that the £42.5 million man needs to really stamp his authority. At least this time the 26-year-old didn’t go missing, but he was unable to do much right when with the ball.
LAM) Alexis Sanchez, 5
There were several occasions on which the Chilean tried to score by himself to the detriment of a team move, but what else was he meant to do when seeing such lethargy from his teammates?
RAM) Jack Wilshere, 4
Continued his return from yet another long term injury, but isn’t yet at the level he was at before his time on the sidelines. Will be hoping for improvement in the next match to force his way in to the FA Cup final team.
ST) Olivier Giroud, 2
This was one of those nights where the worst of the Frenchman was on show. You can’t help but think higher quality forwards may have created more against the relegation strugglers. Giroud’s pedestrian play, lack of pace and poor finishing were all factors in Arsenal failing to win the game.
SUB) Theo Walcott ON 67′, 7
Caused trouble for the Sunderland defence when he came on, instantly making a difference. Perhaps his lightning defence should have been used from the start against the Black Cats?
SUB) Tomas Rosicky ON 81′, 5
Missed a golden opportunity in the final minutes, but that cannot be blamed for the disappointing result.