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Player Ratings: Arsenal 0-0 Middlesbrough

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Arsenal were held to a goalless draw against struggling Middlesbrough in what proved to be a frustrating afternoon in the Premier League. The Gunners looked poor over 90 minutes as the North-East team looked the more likely team to score producing the better of the games chances.Left-back Nacho Monreal once again struggled against pace for the second successive Premier League game as he was given a torrid time by winger Adama Traore.

Middlesbrough came closest to scoring twice in a first-half that saw Arsenal have more than 70% of the ball, but struggle to create any meaningful chances. Middlesbrough’s first chance came via sloppy play by Frenchman Laurent Koscielny, he was robbed on the halfway line by Adama Traore whose shot was subsequently saved by Petr Cech.The promoted team almost scored a few minutes later when Gaston Ramirez’s brilliant free-kick crashed against the crossbar to save a helpless Cech.

Arsenal continued the theme of poor in possession into the second-half as they once again failed to break down a stubborn Middlesbrough defence.The North Londoners were thankful to Koscielny whose last-ditch tackle prevented Negredo from scoring when put through on goal by the brilliant Traore.

Let’s take a look at how the players fared in a poor performance.

Petr Cech: 8/10

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Absolutely marvellous in a game where he was called upon way too often, given the level of opponents. The Czech international produced marvellous saves to salvage a draw in a game the Gunners rarely looked like breaking Middlesbrough down.

Hector Bellerin: 6.5/10

Very rarely called upon defensively, but, produced a splendid tackle in the second-half when Der Hoorn looked very much like scoring,. However, attacking wise the Spaniard looked a shadow of his true self as he was shut out by brilliant defensive play from Middlesbrough winger.

Laurent Koscielny: 7/10

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Better performance of the four defenders, however also succumbed to the pace of Traore who was magnificent. The Frenchman did produce a game saving tackle to prevent the Premier League’s top side losing deep into the game.

Shkodran Mustafi: 6/10

A few mistakes during a game where Arsenal bossed possession and the German had very little to do. Most notable a Rugby like tackle after he had given the ball away cheaply.

Nacho Monreal: 5/10

Run absolutely ragged by a quite rapid winger in Traore. The Spaniard needs to up performances with Kieran Gibbs waiting in the wings, and looking impressive against Ludogorets on Wednesday.

Francis Coquelin: 6/10

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The Frenchman didn’t look as combative as Arsenal searched for a goal, and the defensive midfielder didn’t have much defending to do, with man of Middlesbrough chances coming from mistakes of the defence.

Mohamed Elneny: 6/10

Brought in today, by no fault of his own, and looked poor. The Egyptian lacks the ability of injured Santi Cazorla, to move the ball quickly and convert defence into attack by dithering on the ball too long.

Alex Iwobi- 6.5/10

Looked lively when on, and especially the first 20 minutes, when running  at the Middlesbrough defenders and exchanging passes.

Mesut Ozil: 5.5/10

After such a good week for the German playmaker, he showed none of his qualities today, with poor passing and no killer final ball.

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Theo Walcott: 6/10

In games where the opposition sit back, the England international normally goes missing. This was the case today as Walcott was reduced to hardly any shots or runs into the box with Middlesbrough sitting back.

Alexis Sanchez: 6/10

Very much involved in and around the box, but Arsenal greatly miss Olivier Giroud in games precisely like today’s.

Substitutions

Lucas Perez: 6/10

Came on with half an hour left and couldn’t do much with two banks of four restricting runs, passes or shots from the new signing.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 6.5/10

looked a threat when  he came on in midfield  by running at the Boro team, however not enough to affect the outcome.

 

 

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