Arsenal Vs Burnley: Player Ratings – Oh Dear Granit Xhaka

Excellent save for the free kick from Steven Defour. Made a good effort for the Andre Gray penalty and made many solid saves at both 0-0 and 1-0. Good performance from the experienced keeper.. GK. Arsenal FC. PETR CECH. 8.0

GABRIEL PAULISTA. 7.5. Was very good in the first half, providing defensive solidarity while also being able to threaten. Wasn’t able to bring the same attacking width in the second half but as a replacement for Hector Bellerin, a very adept display.. RB. Arsenal FC

8.0. Made numerous crucial blocks when his team were down to ten men. Marshalled his troops well and showcased good distribution throughout the 90 minutes. Continuing to grow into his role as captain and leader.. CB. Arsenal FC. LAURENT KOSCIELNY

8.0. Equally as impressive his partner, though he does give the ball away at least once every game in cheap fashion. Scored an excellent glancing header to make the breakthrough and will be a linchpin of this team for many years to come.. CB. Arsenal FC. SHKODRAN MUSTAFI

7.0. Solid. Wasn’t especially spectacular when rampaging forward but does have a good rapport with Alexis Sanchez on the left-hand side. Wasn’t particularly threatened in defensive areas either.. LB. Arsenal FC. NACHO MONREAL

Arsenal FC. AARON RAMSEY. 8.5. MAN OF THE MATCH: Back to his bombing best. Always looking to push forward without recklessly losing the ball. Showed his relentless engine, persisting throughout the whole 90 minutes and didn’t relapse when working back either.. MID

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. What was particularly frustrating was that as soon as he lost the ball, I knew a reckless, diving challenge was coming. Did look very good before that moment of foolishness but that one mental mistake very nearly cost his team a precious victory.. MID. Arsenal FC. GRANIT XHAKA. 1.0

7.0. Still far too inconsistent on the ball but did provide some drive in the final third. Beat defenders with ease and has the intelligence and astuteness to make the right decisions at the crucial times in attacking moves. Was sacrificed after Granit Xhaka’s sending off.. MID. Arsenal FC. ALEX IWOBI

MID. Arsenal FC. ALEXIS SANCHEZ. 8.0. Almost everything good that happened came through the electric Sanchez. Should be reinstated as the central striker soon and showed remarkable calmness to chip the game-winning penalty.

MESUT OZIL. 7.5. Was frustrated in the final third but was still able to provide a rhythm and fluency to the passing game. Provided a lovely corner for Mustafi’s header.. MID. Arsenal FC

6.5. It might be time to drop Giroud. The first start in which he hasn’t scored in since being reinstated on Boxing Day and struggled throughout. Was starved of any half-decent service and worked tirelessly throughout but Sanchez needs to get on the ball as much as possible.. ST. Arsenal FC. OLIVIER GIROUD

Arsenal. FRANCIS COQUELIN. 7.0. Difficult to grade. Played very well when turned to after Xhaka’s red card. Made numerous interceptions, played some neat football in tightly compacted spaces and used his physicality well to boss the midfield area. He also gave away a penalty with a lazy, lax kick in added time. That is unacceptable.. SUB

SUB. Arsenal FC. DANNY WELBECK. N/A. Didn’t have enough time on the pitch for me to give him a meaningful grade. Still nice to see him back on the pitch, receiving precious game time.

N/A. No grade because of a lack of game time. Hopefully will be fit enough to start in the near future.. SUB. Arsenal. HECTOR BELLERIN