fbpx

Player Ratings: Burnley 0-1 Arsenal

Burnley v Arsenal - Premier League

Arsenal travelled to Hull on Sunday afternoon, in what looked like a potential banana skin for the Gunners. At first Arsenal did look threatening but as the game wore on Burnley settled into a solid defence shape while Arsenal reverted back to their natural side-to-side passing.

Sanchez at times showed flashes but in the last third, Arsenal were not decisive enough – this turned into the pattern of the game. Out of all the forwards, Alex Iwobi looked the brightest but couldn’t find a way through Burnley, while Mesut Ozil was very poor and had no real effect on the game.

At the back Shkodran Mustafi had some early problems with Sam Vokes – who should’ve scored – but settled down towards the end of the half and got better of the tall striker.

The second-half carried on in much the same vain: Arsenal had plenty of the ball but could do nothing about it. Aside from a Sanchez near miss and Theo Walcott shots which curled just wide of the net, Arsenal were very frustrating. Burnley were superb throughout the second-half, they kept it tight and very compact. It looked as though the game was heading for a draw until Laurent Koscielny – somewhat questioningly – crashed in a last minute winner.

So let’s have a look at how the players got on today.

Petr Cech: 7.5/10

Had a solid game today. The experienced ‘keeper made a few key saves to keep Arsenal in the game.

petr-cech-reut

Hector Bellerin: 6.5/10

Not his best game. His passing was not good at all, in fact his final third play overall was reasonably poor. He did ok at the back but he needs to improve going forward.

Laurent Koscielny: 7.5/10

Again looks comfortable with Mustafi and scored Arsenal’s winner. Overall Koscielny was solid at the back…again.

Shkodran Mustafi: 8/10

At first it looked as though Mustafi was in for a long afternoon with Vokes but the German quickly settled. His ability with the ball is a huge bonus after so long with Mertesacker at the back. He again looked very good at the back with Koscielny; Mustafi was one of the best players on the pitch.

Nacho Monreal: 7/10

Another solid game. Monreal did his job without garnering much attention, exactly what you need from a fullback.

Granit Xhaka: 6.5/10

Against a compact and disciplined Burnley side, Xhaka found it hard to make any sort of penetrative pass. In these kind of games he need to stay deeper and dictate from further back. When he pushes forward he reduces the space to pass and leaves Arsenal exposed at the back.

609453058-nottingham-forest-v-arsenal-efl-cup-third-round

Santi Cazorla: 7/10

CAzorla manged to keep things ticking along in what was a poor team performance overall. He could arguably start at 10 instead of Ozil for the next game.

Theo Walcott: 6.5/10

HE showed flashes but didn’t carry on his superb form. Not his best game but certainly not his worst.

Mesut Ozil: 5.5/10

Probably one of the worst players on the field. Ozil struggled to have any impact on the game and was lucky not to be substituted. He looked tired and lacking any sharpness going forward. His worst game of the season so far.

611969184

Alex Iwobi: 7.5/10

Another good game for the Nigerian. He attacks the fullback but also has the ability to drift inside and occupy dangerous positions. He was very unlucky to go off, he and Mustafi were the best players for the Gunners today.

Alexis Sanchez: 7.5/10

Although he didn’t score a goal, it wasn’t for the lack of trying. As he always does, his workrate was exceptional but he just couldn’t find the cutting edge in front of goal. He’s getting more comfortable every game as a striker.

Burnley v Arsenal - Premier League

Substitutes:

Mohamed Elneny: 6/10

Came on for Xhaka but had little impact on the game.

Alex oxlade-Chamberlain: 6/10

Did little apart from hitting a ball off Koscielny for the goal.

 

One Comment

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe for notification