Arsenal vs Stoke City: Complete Player Ratings

Arsenal FC. PETR CECH. 7.5. Petr Cech had a very good game, diving down to his right to save two shots from point blank range in the second half that preserved Arsenal’s lead. Fans and pundits have come to expect this from Cech, but the Czech goalkeeper has made his share of errors at Arsenal in his 3-year career with the club. So, because he doesn’t get enough credit for doing the simple things well, here is a huge slice of credit to Petr Cech for keeping his side ahead.. GK

Arsenal FC. GABRIEL PAULISTA. 7.7. Gabriel filled in for Bellerin at right back last week and kept his place in this week’s starting XI. Shkodran Mustafi was injured halfway through the first half, and as a result Bellerin came on for the German and Gabriel moved to central defense. He didn’t make any errors that led to Stoke City goals, and kept his composure – which is something that his game lacked when he arrived in North London. The potential injury to Mustafi might not be such a blow with Gabriel in good form.. RB

SHKODRAN MUSTAFI. 6.9. Skhodran Mustafi had a quiet game before getting substituted due to an injury in the first half. The German reportedly has a problem with his hamstring, so he could be kept out of action for a few weeks. However, nothing is for sure yet.. CB. Arsenal FC

8.0. Laurent Koscielny’s run of solid form continues, as he was one of the players to make a real difference. The center back took no chances in defense and made a number of key clearances to stop Stoke City from bundling the ball in.. CB. Arsenal FC. LAURENT KOSCIELNY

Arsenal FC. NACHO MONREAL. 7.3. Nacho Monreal suffered a dead leg injury in the first half but battled through it to finish out the match. His defense was solid and he didn’t lose many take-ons with the Stoke City right wingers, who struggled to beat the Spaniard off the dribble or with a cross. On the attack he didn’t have to offer much, due to Arsenal having such a presence on the left wing. However, he got his fair share of passing opportunities up the field and wasn’t wasteful.. LB

7.9. Granit Xhaka made a reckless challenge on Joe Allen in the first half which gave Stoke City a penalty and the opening goal of the game. The Swiss midfielder was rough in the challenge and it definitely stopped Stoke from over-running Arsenal’s midfield. At times, he must watch his elbows and studs – however, in a game like this one his presence in the middle of the park was crucial. Not to mention, he made some brilliant long passes and through balls.. MID. Arsenal FC. GRANIT XHAKA

7.6. Francis Coquelin provided steel in the midfield alongside Granit Xhaka, and was no-nonsense for ninety minutes. He didn’t make many dangerous passes that could have led to Stoke goals – instead, keeping it simple and not trying too hard to do his teammates’ jobs.. MID. Arsenal FC. FRANCIS COQUELIN

8.3. Theo Walcott got his seventh goal of the season for Arsenal which put them in the lead, a lead that they never gave up. Walcott has been out of the goals in the Premier League of late, but he showed up in the box and applied a neat finish, which is exactly what he’s there to do. The fact that Theo hasn’t dropped off in this difficult winter period is promising, and he looks like he’s really got something to prove. Hopefully it keeps up. MID. Arsenal FC. THEO WALCOTT

8.6. MAN OF THE MATCH: Mesut Ozil’s moment came when he attempted a Robin Van Persie-in-2014-like header that looped over Stoke City goalkeeper Lee Grant to level the match at 1-1. Ozil was masterful with his passing and picked his moments to unlock the Potters’ back four. Such a ruthlessness is key when Arsenal are at home and the opposing defensive line is deeper than it would be in an away fixture.. MID. Arsenal FC. MESUT OZIL

ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN. 6.9. The Ox was lively again and caused problems for the sixty minutes for which he was on the field. Alex Iwobi took his place – and for good reason, considering Iwobi scored mid-week against Basel. Oxlade-Chamberlain is now capable on either wing, and that is a huge plus for the Gunners. Today he didn’t get himself on the scoresheet, but he was a part of Arsenal’s speedy attacks and movement.. MID. Arsenal FC

8.1. Alexis worked incredibly hard for the team and never stopped moving off the ball when Arsenal were in possession. The Chilean’s work rate was world-class and the ovation he received when he came off was totally deserving considering how much of a threat he is to opposing defenses.. ST. Arsenal FC. ALEXIS SANCHEZ

Arsenal FC. HECTOR BELLERIN. 7.9. Hector Bellerin came in for Skhodran Mustafi and played right-back for the majority of the match. He showed how complete of a player he was, making defensive stops and driving forward in attack to give Arsenal’s midfield players an overlapping run option on the right flank. Bellerin is a huge part of how the Gunners play, and that became abundantly clear when he returned to the side.. SUB

SUB. Arsenal FC. ALEX IWOBI. 7.7. Alex Iwobi came on for the other Alex, and marked his name on the match with a goal to make the match 3-1. His running off the ball was a danger to Stoke and he was the perfect addition from Arsene Wenger to kill off the game with some more attacking intent.