Santi Cazorla’s brace was enough to give Arsenal yet another win at home against Fulham as the Gunners overcame a sluggish first half performance to keep the pace at the top of the table. This was Arsenal’s fifth win in a row, as they now approach every game with more confidence and lay claim to their Championship credentials.
Here are Arsenal’s player ratings from the Emirates.
Wojciech Szczesny: The Polish Goalkeeper was absolutely outstanding in the first half. Szczesny was always alert to the danger and denied Sidwell a wonder goal to muster yet another clean sheet in his hundredth appearance for the Gunners.
Rating: 3/5
Nacho Monreal: Has improved a lot, this match was certainly a testament that the Spaniard will give Kieran Gibbs a run for his money in the coming weeks.
Rating: 3/5
Per Mertesacker: The German has certainly transformed into a true leader and once again demonstrated how he can lead the defence with Frenchman Laurent Koscielny. Mertesacker, at the heart of the Gunners defence played an integral part to keep up the pressure on the travelling Cottagers. Although, his pace has been targeted by few over head balls, the German makes up with his positioning and awareness around the box.
Rating: 3/5
Laurent Koscielny: The Frenchman has been immense for the last two campaigns and is certainly one of the best defenders in the Premier League. Nipped in time and again to deny Fulham any space and on countless occasions dealt with the dangers.
Rating: 3/5
Bacary Sagna: Barged forward time and again with his attacking instincts and was unlucky not to score as Stklenberg denied him from the edge of the box. Was good at the back as well demonstrating his recovering abilities.
Rating: 2.5/5
Mathieu Flamini: Steel like in front of his defence, acted as a screen to enable the home side another clean sheet. Was great in disrupting Fulham’s flow and his abilities of retaining the ball is beyond words.
Rating: 2.5/5
Jack Wilshere: The young Englishamn has now been directly involved in four goals in his last three premier league games with one goal and three assists. That’s some streak. However, Wilshere needs to track back as he unnecessarily puts his midfield partner in pressure in getting possession back for his side. Overall got an assist again and his maturity with each passing game is beyond his years.
Rating: 3/5
Mesut Ozil: Not a great game for the German who looked lost, passed sideways too much for his team’s liking. Was replaced by Oxlade Chamberlain late in the second half, which just sums up his match performance.
Rating: 2/5
Santi Cazorla: Brilliant throughout the game and dazzled throughout the entire ninety minutes. The Spaniard covered every blade of grass today and going by stats, created the most chances (5) and scored both goals. Moreover had a hundred percent successful passing range and take ons.
Rating: 4/5
Sergie Gnabry: Displayed remarkable on the ball skills, something which a teenager (18) should be proud of. Had a great game throughout and was equally good attacking and taking on the defenders. However, he has to improve his decision making abilities in the final third and should put his head down for a session of target shooting.
Rating: 3/5
Olivier Giroud: Not a great game for the Frenchman, had plenty of flaws and perhaps with Arsenal not signing a striker, Giroud has taken his starting place for granted, which is always dangerous when you are in the title race.
Rating: 2/5
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