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[Player ratings] West Ham 1-0 Arsenal: Xhaka shocking, Aubameyang not much better

By mac14 on January 12, 2019

Arsenal’s top four hopes were dealt a huge blow after we put in a shocking performance to lose 1-0 at West Ham this afternoon.

We started reasonably well and were marginally the better side in a pretty dull first half but we struggled to create anything clear cut. A shocking clearance from Granit Xhaka led to the West Ham winner shortly after the break and Arsenal could barely muster a response during a torrid second half.

Here are my ratings:

Leno 6/10 | Could do nothing for the opening goal. Distribution was okay.

Mustafi 5/10 | A few rash challenges and went to ground too easily, not for the first time. Subbed in the second half when Emery changed shape.

Koscielny 6/10 | His best display since returning to fitness, but he didn’t have much to beat.

Sokratis 6/10 | Solid enough and coped well against the West Ham attack for the most part.

Maitland-Niles 5/10 | Very scrappy performance. Too many loose touches and offered very little going forward. Passing poor too. Subbed.

Xhaka 4/10 | Shocking headed clearance that led to the opening goal capped a woeful all-round display. Subbed midway through the second half.

Guendouzi 5/10 | No idea why he started ahead of Torreira but didn’t justify his inclusion. Dallied on the ball for too long at times, slowing down our play, and passing was poor. Not ready to play every week.

Kolasinac 5/10 | Got in to some promising positions but final ball wasn’t there. Should have shot when well positioned in the first half.

Iwobi 6/10 | Not the creator we need to feed Auba/Laca but still worked hard and wasn’t afraid to get on the ball. Flashed a shot just wide.

Lacazette 6/10 | Looked lively early on and forced a good save at 0-0 but was frustrated in the second half.

Aubameyang 5/10 | Poor performance. Couldn’t influence the game and not his day in front of goal when he did get a sniff. Missed a great chance to equalise when he blazed over.

Subs:

Ramsey 6.5/10 | Our best player when he came on. Added some urgency and a player who finally made some forward runs off the ball.

Torreira 6/10 | Should have started.

Bellerin 6/10 | Also should have started.

Unai Emery has to answer questions for this performance as it was one of the worst of the season. We created nothing against an average West Ham side and once again failed to keep a clean sheet. The bosses decision to leave Mesut Ozil out of the squad looks foolish after this result.