Arsenal v Monaco: Player Ratings

GK. Arsenal FC. DAVID OSPINA. 7.0. A spectator all night as Monaco managed three shots and none were on target.

7.4. Normally a good crosser, he put poor balls in too often. Fought well on the right hand side, winning 5/6 of his tackles. Better work toward the final third could have made a big difference.. RB. Arsenal FC. HECTOR BELLERIN

7.8. Had a couple critical clearances in the box to preserve the clean sheet and keep Arsenal very much in it.. CB. Arsenal FC. PER MERTESACKER

CB. Arsenal FC. LAURENT KOSCIELNY. 7.8. The commentators described him as rugged and resolute. That’s exactly what he was, with two primetime clearances from dangerous balls drilled into the box.  

7.1. Very well could have lost his starting job as he looked to be on his back foot much of the time. Most Arsenal fans were crying for a switch for Gibbs at half time. When Arsenal dominate possession, Gibbs may be the better option as his speed allows him to do more damage in defense against counters.. LB. Arsenal FC. NACHO MONREAL

Battled hard and lost the ball at the beginning of a couple Arsenal sweeping moves to kill them. Completed 52/55 passes before exiting the match. Rough day in the air, winning only one aerial duel.. MID. Arsenal FC. FRANCIS COQUELIN. 7.6

7.8. Completed 106/122 passes, missing mainly on long balls. Created one chance, but was dropped deeper alongside Coquelin to start, meaning his main task was to feed the ball up to Ozil and spread wide to Alexis and Welbeck.. MID. Arsenal FC. SANTI CAZORLA

7.7. Created two chances and took a good free kick, which I believe was headed over or off the bar. A polarizing figure, I have a feeling we’ll be discussing him in depth soon enough.. MID. Arsenal FC. MESUT OZIL

7.0. Looked good in the opening stages, but it seems like the closer he gets to goal, the worse his decision making gets. Tended to drift too narrow too often, limiting Arsenal’s width in a situation where you absolutely cannot make that mistake.. FWD. Arsenal FC. DANNY WELBECK

6.6. He needs rest. The fatigue is showing in every aspect of his game; from his footwork to his passing to his decision making, Alexis was a liability against Monaco.. FWD. Arsenal FC. ALEXIS SANCHEZ

MAN OF THE MATCH – Before the match, I was banking on a Giroud brace or hat-trick. I was wrong. But he played well and very nearly won it for Arsenal. His goal was a sublime shot into the roof of the net. In fairness to him, the cross that went off him tamely into the hands of the keeper was nicked on the way in.. ST. Arsenal FC. OLIVIER GIROUD. 7.9

AARON RAMSEY. 7.8. There was no doubt that he was going to score when he came on. I was harsh on his last good performance, but I think he’s done enough to warrant a starting spot currently, as Cazorla seems like he may need some rest. A well-taken goal for Arsenal’s second.. MID. Arsenal FC

Arsenal FC. KIERAN GIBBS. 7.4. Created one chance from the favorite spot on the pitch for him to get to, which is near the end line. The problem with Gibbs is that he’s not too inventive and typically just knocks it toward the end line and leans on his speed to get crosses in. That being said, his days of being <a href=. LB

7.3. Completed four passes. Denied on a good shot by the post, though it led to Arsenal’s second. Just can’t imagine him starting any time soon for Arsenal unless injury dictates it.. MID. Arsenal FC. THEO WALCOTT