Arsenal might have won this match against Anderlecht but there was not much positive except for the result on Arsene Wenger’s 65th birthday. The performance was beyond shambolic for most parts and the Anderlecht players and fans must be wondering how they managed to lose this one.
Damian Martinez: 3/5 The young rookie goalkeeper was not really at fault for the goal and made a very good stop at 1-0 down to keep Arsenal in the game.
Calum Chambers: 2.5/5 The youngster like most of the other Arsenal defenders lost the plot in the second half after going a goal down. However his cross for Gibbs’s goal was simply brilliant.
Per Mertesacker: 2/5 The German was no where to be seen when Arsenal conceded the first goal and did not dominate the proceedings as much as he should have.
Nacho Monreal: 1.5/5 Although playing in an unfamiliar position did not make it easy, Nacho Monreal had an absolute shocker. His early yellow card hindered his tackling for the rest of the game and his slip late on might very well have proved crucial.
Kieran Gibbs: 2.5/5 A brilliant goal to get the scores to 1-1. However his defending like all the other defenders was shambolic.
Mathieu Flamini: 1.5/5 The less said the better. There can be no doubt that Mikel Arteta will walk into this team the moment he is fit.
Jack Wilshere: 2/5 It was not Jack Wilshere’s finest nights. Tried to dribble too many times and got stopped too easily.
Aaron Ramsey: 2/5 Another Arsenal player who was definitely not at his best. However given that this was his first match back from the injury we will give him a pass on this one and call this match ‘a much required match fitness routine’ for the Welshman.
Santi Cazorla: 2/5 Huffed and puffed all match long. The freekick in the first half where he hit the ball straight into the Anderlecht wall was indicative of his form on the night. Nothing really came off for this talented Spaniard.
Alexis Sanchez: 4/5 Alexis Sanchez was definitely Arsenal’s best player on the night. Sometimes it felt like he was the only player at Arsenal who was even trying and the rest of the team should follow his example. His control and pass for the second goal was also a lesson as to how persistence pays off.
Danny Welbeck: 1.5/5 Another Arsenal player who had a stinker today was Danny Welbeck. Loose touches was really his bane and like many other Arsenal players hardly looked in the game.
Substitutes:
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain: 2/5 Did not really look special when he was bought on. Should have definitely made Arsenal look more incisive but failed to do so.
Joel Campbell: 2/5 Came on for Welbeck but did not really impact the game.
Lukas Podolski: Bought on to do a job and did exactly that by scoring the winning goal.