Arsenal vs West Brom Player Ratings

Arsenal finally looked dominant. Yet they still lacked a ruthless edge that could have made the game even better. Here are the player ratings.

Another must-win, although one could argue that Arsenal didn’t actually have much to play for. Still, finishing in fourth sounds like a nightmare. Thankfully, Arsenal was able to crawl out of fourth via the renewed form of the Chilean mastermind, Alexis Sanchez.

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It was just one of those games where Alexis was better than everyone. He willed the ball to go where he pleased.

But Arsenal had a strong supporting cast as well. Wenger made some changes, bringing back the hotly-contested trio of Per Mertesacker, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud. They played to mixed reviews.

Here are the player ratings.

6.8. Did what he had to do. Would have been thoroughly beaten by Gareth McAuley’s header, but even Arsenal deserves some luck from time to time.. GK. Arsenal FC. PETR CECH

7.1. With the news that he had made the PFA team of the year, young Hector Bellerin put on a very standard performance. Which is always a welcome sign. Consistency at a young age is hard to come by. Had a couple glaring chances at goal but couldn’t get either one on target.. RB. Arsenal FC. HECTOR BELLERIN

Arsenal FC. LAURENT KOSCIELNY. 7.0. This defense is getting very nearly the same numbers across the board because they were all so adequate. Nobody went out of their way to put on a show, but they combined perfectly. Still could use some help on this whole zonal marking thing.. CB

6.9. Per had been very outspoken all week about how this Arsenal defense lacked discipline. Well, he walked the walk as well, maintaining good discipline and not letting anything get in behind him, where it’s dangerous.. CB. Arsenal FC. PER MERTESACKER

Monreal <a href=. LB. Arsenal FC. NACHO MONREAL. 7.3

MID. Arsenal FC. AARON RAMSEY. 8.9. He kind of had to do something special. And he did. In all the ways that Ramsey has been falling short this year, he showed up. Only dispossessed once. 92% pass completion. <em>Seven</em> completed tackles – more than anyone else. And only one shot attempted. Ramsey came back down to earth and it was wonderful to watch.

6.8. He is so gloriously above average. The definition of stability. Still has not created a chance, but you can’t beat his work rate and dependability.. MID. Arsenal FC. MOHAMED EL NENY

Arsenal FC. MESUT OZIL. 7.5. Dribbled incredibly well to match Alexis. But that was it. Didn’t create chances. His shots were rather weak. He wasn’t overly present on the ball. Was thoroughly outdone by Aaron Ramsey.. MID

9.0. MAN OF THE MATCH. Two man of the matches in a row. Five goals in four games. Alexis is back and not a moment too late! Oh wait… Oh well, he’s still fun to watch. Looked like an absolute magician today. The ball was merely an extension of his foot and nothing more. Very effecient conversion rate – two shots on goal, two goals.. MID. Arsenal FC. ALEXIS SANCHEZ

6.9. Created some chances, but looked rather stumped at times. Can never fault his work rate. Still, I wonder if that adrenaline is wearing off a bit.. MID. Arsenal FC. ALEX IWOBI

ST. Arsenal FC. OLIVIER GIROUD. 7.0. Really though… Giroud fired a rocket right into Foster’s face. He has been cruelly denied too many times recently. Eventually that goal is going to come and it will unleash a torrent of goals.

6.1. Didn’t get much time. Was brought on to shore up the defense and he did that.. MID. Arsenal FC. FRANCIS COQUELIN

Arsenal FC. JOEL CAMPBELL. 6.2. Joel played yesterday! What a good day for Arsenal.. MID

Didn’t do much. Not a surprise. Averaged about a touch every minute.. MID. Arsenal FC. THEO WALCOTT. 6.0