An emphatic first half display from Arsenal ensured there would be no hiccups from the Gunners in their aspirations for the Premier League title, meaning Arsene Wenger can have a good night’s sleep as his boys ruthlessly brushed aside Sunderland by 4-1 at the Emirates.
A first-half brace from returning striker Olivier Giroud gave the Gunners a well deserved advantage before Thomas Rosicky’s Arsenalesque goal made it 3-0 before the interval. Laurent koscielny then made it four in the second and and Italian Emanuele Giaccherini grabbed a late consolation for the visitors. Arsenal closed the gap at the top to just a point behind Chelsea while Gus Poyet’s team dropped further in their relegation battle. Here are Arsenal’s player ratings from London.
Wojciech Sczezeny: Was a shame that arsenal couldn’t get the clean sheet as Szczesny was helpless against Giaccherini’s well struck shot. Otherwise had a wonderful game, making couple of important stops.
Rating: 3/5
Bacary Sagna: Fantastic throughout the game, was exceptional with his all round play and his dedication was a testament to the fact, that he might have covered every blade of grass on the pitch. Started as a right back, played down the left for a while and was shifted as a CB in the final minutes of the game. Simply outstanding!
Rating: 4/5
Laurent Koscielny: Yet another strong performance from the French defender. Solid at the back and always quick to clear any danger. Has performed exceptionally this season and stepped up his game whenever required. The goal was the icing on the cake before he was subbed off to avoid aggravating the injury he suffered.
Rating: 3.5/5
Per Mertesacker: The big German like Koscielny had a great game, the partnership looking solid with each passing day. Wasn’t at fault and couldn’t do anything for Sunderland’s late goal in the game.
Rating: 3/5
Nacho Monreal: Solid performance from the Spaniard, However, Wenger would have frowns on his forehead thanks to the ankle injury sustained. Arsenal’s wafer thin squad will be tested to the limit in the coming weeks.
Rating: 2.5/5
Mikel Arteta: If I were to go by stats, then Arteta completed over 90% of his 120 passes in the game. Visibly everywhere on the ground and looked rejuvenated with each passing minute.
Rating: 3/5
Thomas Rosicky: Pick of Arsenal’s goals was the one scored by the Czech, who slotted past the goalkeeper after picking up a delightful ball from team mate Jack Wilshere and then exchanging a neat one two with Oliver Giroud. Al round was terrific too.
Rating: 3.5/5
Jack Wilshere: Created more than a couple of chances for his team, had over a hundred passes with an extremely high successful rate. Gunners’ fans however will be sweating over his hamstring in the days off in the build up to the next encounter.
Rating: 3/5
Santi Cazorla: The Spaniard was his usual self, brilliant on the ball, making those forays in the opposition third and shone throughout the entire course of ninety minutes.
Rating: 2.5/5
Lukas Podolski: The German made a rare start and perhaps looked out of sorts throughout failing to make an impact and not causing the Sunderland defence any sort of harm. However, his thunderbolt drive, if not for Mannone’s save would have been a peach of a goal.
Rating: 2.5/5
Olivier Giroud: Opened the floodgates for the demolition, scoring a brace after returning to the starting lineup, certainly puts his off field controversies on the back of him. The Frenchman’s performance was a reminiscence of the energy and dynamism he offers when fully focussed and raring to go at full steam. Man of the match for me.
Rating: 4/5
Watch the highlights here