Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings: Five minutes in heaven

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal (C) celebrates as he scores their second goal with team mates Hector Bellerin and Alexandre Lacazette during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on December 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal (C) celebrates as he scores their second goal with team mates Hector Bellerin and Alexandre Lacazette during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on December 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal hosted Newcastle United in the Premier League in desperate need of a win. Here are the player ratings from the 1-0 win.

Arsenal (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Arsenal (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Arsenal had to want revenge over the 4-0 drubbing they suffered at Anfield, but you wouldn’t have known it early on. Despite getting off strong in the first fifteen minutes, they quickly faded and allowed Liverpool to control every aspect of the game.

There was shambolic defending, feeble midfield presence and a toothless defense as the ugly Arsenal reared its disgusting head. Alexandre Lacazette was left infuriated that he was receiving no assistance in the attack, Alexis Sanchez has a new nickname “thriftstore” because he seems hellbent on giving everything away, and Laurent Koscielny may be setting the record for quickest fall from grace.

It was only one goal for Liverpool in the first half, but it damn well might have been more. The Gunners looked completely beaten and no one seemed to care.

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast here

It didn’t stay that way. After Liverpool snatched a deflected second, the Gunners charged back, scoring three in five minutes to take a thrilling lead. But that would be short lived, as a deflected save leveled the game, and there it would stay.

I have never had more trouble diagnosing who should be given man of the match. So let’s see how poorly I’ve judged the players.

Goalkeeper

6.3. Incredibly up and down. Some superb saves and some baffling head scratchers. Just like everyone else on the pitch, really, as no one seemed to put together cohesive form, they just came and went and tried their best not to muff it up while they simultaneously tried to make things happen.. GK. Arsenal. PETR CECH