Arsenal struggled to win the match and ended up dropping two more crucial points as the fans are growing increasingly frustrated. With as many as 9 players unfit, Arsene Wenger knew that he’ll need to be clinical and effective from the word go, and to some extent it looked that way when Sanchez scored early. But as the match progressed, Hull absorbed the pressure and hit Arsenal with attacks of their own. Here are the ratings for Arsenal players.
Szczesny: 3/5
Had a rather uneventful afternoon despite conceding two clinical goals. He was perhaps slightly overcommitted in the conceding of the first goal. A decent performance otherwise for the Polish keeper.
Hector Bellerin: 3/5
In his first start for the Gunners, the young Spaniard played well defensively. He avoided his instincts to bomb forward and made some crucial interjections in the match. A good game for the young Right Back to start off his Arsenal career.
Per Mertesacker: 2.5/5
He had a decent game but was at fault for Hull’s second goal. One cannot simply let a much shorter player get in front of you facing goal, and then out-jump you when you’re 6 feet 6 inches tall. Mertesacker should have done better while defending against Abel Hernandez’s header.
Nacho Monreal: 3/5
The Spaniard was played out of position but he didn’t make any errors. He had a quiet game in a position where he lacks the usual physicality or decisiveness. He defended pretty well while Hull tried aerial attacks.
Keiran Gibbs: 3/5
He was a constant offensive support to the attacking midfielders as Arsenal piled pressure on Hull early on in the first half. He showed good consistency in the game as well.
Flamini: 2.5/5
The Frenchman did nothing spectacular as he played a box to box role passing simple and doing the dirty job. Was no match for Diame’s strength and power as he ran through him, though it apparently looked like the Hull City midfielder had fouled him, as he went on to score the equalizer.
Wilshere: 3.5/5
Wilshere showed good form in midfield with good passes and dribbles. At times he lacked a bit of decisiveness yet he was perhaps one of the bright spots. He suffered an injury to his ankle with 20 minutes to go, as he walked off the pitch adding another worry for Arsene Wenger.
Oxlade-Chamberlain: 2/5
He was almost non-existent in attacks and had a rather poor game considering his recent performances. The young Englishman was often the cause of breaking down of Arsenal’s moves as his passing was off radar as well as his offensive runs. An afternoon to ponder over for the youngster, who would now want to focus harder.
Cazorla: 3/5
Cazorla was one of the threats in the first half as he was on song. He had one great shot on target forcing a full stretched save from the keeper. He had a decent game against a rather resilient opposition. The Spaniard will have to maintain his form and fitness in these days of injury crisis as Ozil is out for 3 months.
Sanchez: 4/5
Sanchez was a real goal threat in the moments when Arsenal dominated with full fury. He had a chance to score early on which he couldn’t capitalize on, but then he found the back of the net with a clean and clinical strike into the bottom corner to put Arsenal ahead. Regular goals from him would have already endeared him to Arsenal fans.
Welbeck: 3/5
His influence was limited as he wasn’t provided space by a tight Hull City defence. He had a chance early on which he couldn’t convert as Harper was quick to react. He scored a late equalizer for the Gunners, as he won the draw for the struggling club.
Substitutes:
Ramsey: 3/5
Fans were delighted when he came on for Flamini as he is finally back from injury. He played a part in the late attacks.
Joel Campbell: 3/5
The Costa Rican came on for Wilshere to a very excited crowd. Was good overall with his passes and movement and would hope for more chances to impress in the future as Arsenal are a bit down on squad depth.