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[Player Ratings] Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle: Ozil stars for Gunners but Xhaka woeful again

By mac14 on December 16, 2017

Mesut Ozil scored a stunner as Arsenal went fourth in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle at the Emirates today.

We produced another disappointing performance against a poor Newcastle team and made hard work of what should have been a relatively simple afternoon.

Luckily Ozil was on form and scored a stunning volley midway through the first half and he was practically the only positive today – as well as Maitland-Niles’ solid display.

These are my ratings:

Cech 7/10 | Good save to deny Murphy an equaliser early in the second half. Did everything that was asked of him.

Bellerin 6/10 | Always an option down the right but looks shot of confidence when he’s in possession.

Koscielny 6/10 | A few nervy moments but Koscielny helped lead the team to another clean sheet.

Monreal 7/10 | I’m still not convinced about him in the middle of defence but didn’t put a foot wrong today.

Maitland-Niles 7.5/10 | A confident display from young Ainsley. Got forward to support Sanchez and almost scored a wonder goal in the first half.

Wilshere 6.5/10 | Missed a great chance to make it 2-0 but put in a workmanlike performance in midfield. Good to see him come through another 90 minutes.

Xhaka 4/10 | Woeful once again. He sprayed a couple of passes about but he also lost possession in dangerous areas and just doesn’t add enough to the team right now.

Ozil 8/10 | Scored a stunning volley to win the game and roamed about the pitch to get on the ball and instigate attacks. Easily our most dangerous player.

Sanchez 6/10 | Another disappointing performance from Alexis. Tracked back to make a great block late on but was otherwise frustrated.

Iwobi 6/10 | Average display once again. Not sure why he kept his place after West Ham but he did nothing today to suggest he should be a regular.

Lacazette 6.5/10 | Good movement up front and his link-up play was solid but missed a good chance in the second half before his predictable 70th minute substitution.

Subs:

Giroud 6/10 | Set-up Wilshere with a lovely cushioned header.

Welbeck 5/10 | Had no real effect on the game.

Coquelin N/A