Arsenal secured a comfortable 3-0 win against West Ham United at the Emirates with goals from Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini. Here are the player ratings of both the sides.
Arsenal:
David Ospina- 6.5: The Colombian was largely underworked and his distribution was not up to the mark. He did make a save in the first half to deny Kevin Nolan’s well taken volley
Calum Chambers-6: Not a great game for the youngster who was regularly threatened by Matt Jarvis on the wings. Looked a threat when darting forward but did nothing of great saying.
Nacho Monreal- 7.5: Most improved Arsenal player this season. Played Downing out of the game. Was a great outlet going forward.
Per Mertesacker- 6.5 Diafra Sakho’s pace constantly threatened the German but was bailed out by fellow centre back Laurent Koscielny.
Laurent Koscielny- 9: Fantastic match for the Frenchman who was as solid as a rock. Also made a lot of key interceptions.
Aaron Ramsey- 8.5: As this game would suggest, the Welshman is getting at his best. Brilliant display in the middle of the park, broke down the opposition on numerous occasions. Bossed the midfield.
Francis Coquelin- 7.5: Solid display by the youngster showing great maturity playing in front of the back four. Arsenal’s find of the season for me.
Mesut Ozil- 6: Lacked decision making at times and didn’t look at his best really. Ozil needs to step up in the remaining games of the season.
Theo Walcott- 6: Should have scored a brace, the first chance was awasted having waited too long while he hit the second straight at the West Ham keeper.
Alexis Sanchez- 6: Looked out of sorts completely and is way past below his best. Was rightly subbed off.
Olivier Giroud- 8: Scored a wonderful goal and was also superb with his passing. Also involved in both of Arsenal’s second half goals.
Substitutes:
Danny Welbeck- 7 Replaced Sanchez with 30 minutes remaining. Looked a threat on the wings.
Santi Cazorla– 7.5: Involved in both the late goals. The Spaniard is a joy to watch when on full song.
Mathieu Flamini– 6.5: Scored Arsenal’s third goal with a simple tap in
West Ham:
Adrian- 8: Brilliant game for the Spaniard personally. Made a string of saved to keep the score line respectable for the Hammers.
Aaron Cresswel-6: A game to forget for the 25 year old who was clearly struggling. Was caught high up the pitch on numerous occasions.
Joey O’Brien- 6.5: Might have struggled but did well in keeping Alexis Sanchez at bay but failed to cope when Welbeck came on.
James Collins- 6.5: Did quite well to hold off Giroud early and also made some late ditch tackles to get out of jail. Was lucky not to have conceded a penalty early into the game.
Cheikhou Kouyate- 6: Played a make shift centre back and his lack of positioning was clearly exposed.
Kevin Nolan -5: Hit a first half volley straight to Ospina and apart from that, it was a sloppy performance.
Alex Song- 7: Stamped his authority in the first half but faded as the game prolonged.
Mark Noble- 6.5: Battling performance from the midfielder but couldn’t match Arsenal’s intensity in the middle.
Matt Jarvis- 6: Got past Chambers on the wing time and again in the first hal but failed to atke advantage.
Stewart Downing- 6.5: Poor game from the Englishman who has lost his early season form. It was surprising to see Sam Allardyce shift to a 4-3-3 despite knowing he can get the best out of Downing when the player plays on the tip of the diamond formation.
Diafra Sakho- 7: Should have taken Mertesacker more than often but he was time and again shut down by Koscielny. However, to be fair to him, he had little support.
Substitutes:
Morgan Amalfitano- N.A.: Replaced Jarvis but was anonymous.
Nene- N.A.: Came on very late to make an impact
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