Arsenal Vs. Leicester City: Player Ratings

Arsenal played out a frustrating 0-0 draw with Leicester City on Saturday evening. Here are the player ratings from the second game of the season.

Runners-up Arsenal faced off with reigning champions Leicester City and played out a 0-0 draw at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes’ Ahmed Musa had late claims for a penalty that were dubiously denied by referee Marc Clattenburg. Musa’s heels were clipped by Hector Bellerin on the edge of the 18-yard-box – a foul outside of the box, but somehow not a foul inside. The Gunners had opportunities to play in crosses that would get them a goal, but their final ball was not good enough on the day.

Here are the player ratings.

GK. Arsenal FC. PETR CECH. 6.3. Petr Cech kept a clean sheet, but he had very few shots to face. He made one good move coming out against Jamie Vardy at the end of the first half, but apart from that it was a quiet day at the office.

Hector Bellerin will count himself very lucky to have not cost his team the game. He fouled Ahmed Musa in the box and it was not called. He made some attacking runs down the right wing, but again his end product was very poor. He needs more of Olivier Giroud to be effective with his crossing: he cannot cross well on the ground.. RB. Arsenal FC. HECTOR BELLERIN. 6.3

ROB HOLDING. 6.9. Rob Holding was protected by his defensive partner, but he dealt with the problems he faced with confidence. He had a quiet game, but positionally he was very good and he stopped Leo Ulloa from making dangerous runs when the Leicester striker came on as a sub.. CB. Arsenal FC

8.0. (MAN OF THE MATCH) Koscielny’s impact was immediately noticeable. He had an outstanding game: winning headers, making crucial tackles, passing the ball intelligently and protecting young defender Rob Holding. If Koscielny can stay fit this could be his best season of his career, based on his best performance.. CB. Arsenal FC. LAURENT KOSCIELNY

Nacho Monreal’s opponent Riyad Mahrez looked off the pace, but the Spaniard still shut Mahrez down. He had a few good runs down the flank, but his chances to play balls into the box were limited by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s insistence on running with the ball.. LB. Arsenal FC. NACHO MONREAL. 6.8

7.5. Francis Coquelin shut his part of the park down and won the ball back plenty of times. Danny Drinkwater and Andy King looked void of ideas and couldn’t run with the ball through the center of the park. The French defensive midfielder had a good partnership with Granit Xhaka – perhaps one that will remain going forward.. MID. Arsenal FC. FRANCIS COQUELIN

MID. Arsenal FC. GRANIT XKAHA. 6.9. The Swiss international didn’t dictate the game as well as he can, but he is adjusting to English football and was nonetheless accurate with his passing. Needs to have more of an impact on the game, but still a performance without too many mistakes.

Arsenal FC. SANTI CAZORLA. 6.0. Santi Cazorla looked adrift for a lot of the game, he didn’t have enough of a role in the center of the park and was too quick to drift out wide. If he is to be the #10 he must live in that space right in the center, rather than going to the flank.. MID

THEO WALCOTT. 6.0. Theo Walcott followed up an opening day goal with a lackluster showing. He failed to test Christian Fuchs and Robert Huth, and when he did have opportunities to run at the defense he failed to outpace them. Perhaps Oxlade-Chamberlain should take his place on the right.. MID. Arsenal FC

MID. Arsenal FC. ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN. 6.7. Oxlade-Chamberlain had so many touches on the ball in the game, but his end product was totally useless. Decent dribbling ability, but Danny Simpson shut him down and he failed to get shots on target past the Leicester defense. He looks hungry, but he needs to pass the ball more.

5.9. Alexis Sanchez is not a central striker in the Premier League in Arsenal’s system. That simple.. ST. Arsenal FC. ALEXIS SANCHEZ

MESUT OZIL. 6.9. Came on too late in the game – a poor decision by Wenger – but was hugely impactful when he did. Lots of killer balls coming in and nearly leading to goals, but just not quite for Ozil. After a few more games he looks like he’ll be back to top fitness, and that will be exciting.. SUB. Arsenal FC

6.2. Came on as a sub but didn’t have very much impact. Arsenal look more threatening with an aerial threat, but Giroud needs more time.. SUB. Arsenal FC. OLIVIER GIROUD

Arsenal FC. JACK WILSHERE. 5.7. Had no impact after coming on as a sub. Missed a good opportunity to get a shot off late in the game, but he couldn’t take it.. SUB

Next: Arsenal Vs. Leicester City: 5 Things We Learned

Arsenal FC. JACK WILSHERE. 5.7. Had no impact after coming on as a sub. Missed a good opportunity to get a shot off late in the game, but he couldn’t take it.. SUB

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