It wasn’t pretty, but we got the all important three points in a game which our recent form made a must win against Newcastle United.
Even though the win wasn’t accompanied by multiple goals on our return to The Emirates, the performance from the team was an improvement from the Southampton and West Ham games.
Newcastle came to London with a deep block, but we used better link-up play in and around the box to get in behind the defence more often than in recent weeks.
But anyway, here’s how the players got on:
Petr Cech – 7.0
Not the busiest of Cech’s outings this year but he did well to secure a very important clean sheet keeping out a couple of Newcastle efforts on goal.
Hector Bellerin – 6.6
Another so-so game for Bellerin as he failed to make many inroads down the right-hand side. He did manage to get into a couple of shooting positions but squandered both chances.
Laurent Koscielny – 6.0
A bit more at ease than he has been over the last few weeks, Koscielny made a better impression at the back and won a good few tackles and headers but made some sloppy mistakes near the end of the game.
Nacho Monreal – 6.8
Quite a standard performance from Monreal, he was solid in and out of possession and did his job in in the centre of the defence.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 7.7
Again Maitland-Niles was positioned at left back but that didn’t stop him from impressing. He dealt with one-on-one duels very calmly and almost managed to get a goal for himself.
Granit Xhaka – 5.8
A bit better from recent displays, Xhaka wasn’t as sloppy on the ball on Saturday but didn’t have an amazing game. Came close to scoring from range but his shot whizzed past the post.
Jack Wilshere – 7.5
Another dominant display. Making his second Premier League start of the season, Wilshere showed what he can bring going forward yet again making clever passes in and around the box as well as fearlessly taking on defenders. However, he should have had a goal after getting on the end of a Giroud knock-down inside the box.
Alex Iwobi – 6.7
Another improved performance from Wednesday night, Iwobi played well overall and put in a good ball which led to Mesut Ozil’s volleyed goal as well as sliding through a nice through ball which Alexandre Lacazette should have finish.
Mesut Ozil – 7.6
A decent performance topped with a sublime effort. Ozil has been one of Arsenal’s top performers of late and Saturday saw him rewarded with a spectacular, match-winning volley to push us back up the table.
Alexis Sanchez – 6.0
Tried to make things happen but not much came off as usual in a frustrating performance but was involved in the build up for the goal.
Alexandre Lacazette – 6.8
Coming back into the starting line-up, Lacazette didn’t quite make his mark despite linking up well around the box and putting the biggest chance he had over the bar.
Danny Welbeck – 6.4
Didn’t make much of an impact once put onto the pitch.
Francis Coquelin – N/A
Was only on for a few minutes.
Olivier Giroud – 6.5
Created a good chance for Wilshere when brought on with a knock-down for the Englishman inside the box.
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