Arsenal Vs Basel Recap: Complete Player Ratings

GK. Arsenal FC. DAVID OSPINA. 6.8. Ospina had very little to do with the defence dominating what was a fairly blunt Basel attack. Distribution was notably improved and will continue to play in European games, even to my confusion.

Arsenal FC. HECTOR BELLERIN. 7.7. Bellerin looks back to his best after a slightly underwhelming start to the season. His pacy partnership with Theo Walcott is truly blossoming, offering attacking returns while also remaining defensively stout.. RB

8.4. Made one mistake all game giving the ball away cheaply late in the second half. Other than that, pretty much flawless from the German.. CB. Arsenal FC. SHKODRAN MUSTAFI

8.0. Koscielny and Mustafi are truly blossoming into a rather formidable pair. Once again comfortable on the ball, boasted decent pace and is growing into his role as the leader of the back four in Per Mertesacker’s stead. Another excellent performance.. CB. Arsenal FC. LAURENT KOSCIELNY

7.5. Nacho Monreal was solid without being spectacular. Basel posed little problems going forward so was able to push up for much of the game. Still worried against better opposition, but certainly far improved from his struggles a couple of weeks ago.. LB. Arsenal FC. NACHO MONREAL

8.2. Xhaka just oozes class. Rarely gave the ball away, strong without the ball, extremely intelligent and a terrific range of passing, especially in looking for Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott in behind. These are exciting times indeed.. MID. Arsenal FC. GRANIT XHAKA

8.6. Santi Cazorla is the centrepiece of the midfield. Always looking to move forward, completed 90% of his passes and controlled the match through his touch, vision and range of passing. Truly phenomenal. Wenger must manage him carefully throughout the year.. MID. Arsenal FC. SANTI CAZORLA

MID. Arsenal FC. THEO WALCOTT. 9.5. (MAN OF THE MATCH) When watching the game with my Dad (someone who doesn’t get to watch Arsenal games all that often) he said that Theo Walcott looked like a £60 million player. He’s not wrong. More than the two goals he scored, his decision making, end product and footballing intelligence are all far improved this season, as evidenced by Wednesday’s showing.

7.7. Quietly effective. Did not rack up the goals or assists, but his intelligent movement, exploitation of space and continual rotation with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez caused the Basel back three problems all match.. MID. Arsenal FC. ALEX IWOBI

MID. Arsenal FC. MESUT OZIL. 8.4. Mesut Ozil’s effect on the game is often difficult to spot. It is nonetheless crucial to the side’s success and on Wednesday, his vision and creativity allowed Walcott and Sanchez to make darting runs in behind expectant of the right delivery. Very rarely did the German fail.

9.1. Sanchez’s movement is utterly sensational. Always looking for the ball, dropping deep, drifting wide and spinning in behind. Set up both of Walcott’s goals and is quickly cementing himself as Arsene Wenger’s number one centre-forward.. ST. Arsenal FC. ALEXIS SANCHEZ

6.8. Composed on the ball, brought energy and effort, but the game was all but over by the time he entered the fray. Good depth, but nothing more.. SUB. Arsenal FC. MOHAMED ELNENY

6.9. Continued his role as the defensive winger when the Gunners have a lead. Performed well but will perhaps begin to grow frustrated with a lack of opportunity behind Nacho Monreal.. SUB. Arsenal FC. KIERAN GIBBS

6.7. Came on to bring some much-needed pace on the break. Caused a few issues but has clearly dropped behind Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott in the pecking order.. SUB. Arsenal FC. ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN