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RATINGS: My Ratings From Arsenal’s Shocking 1-0 Loss To Stoke

By on March 1, 2014

What an awful game. We were dragged down to Stoke’s despicable level and just couldn’t get going. The referee was woeful, missing at least two disgusting stamps from Whelan and Adam on Giroud, the penalty was fortunate and the hosts did well at disrupting our game, but there’s really no excuse for how poor we were going forward.

Here are my ratings:

Szczesny  – 7/10 – Good save from a powerful Whelan effort at the end of first half and made another decent stop to deny Crouch in the second half. Sent the wrong way for the pen.

Sagna – 7/10 – Probably our best attacking outlet down the right and he sent in a couple of dangerous crosses. Rarely troubled at the back.

Mertesacker  – 7/10 – Calm as ever at the back and made a couple of excellent tackles to deny Stoke on the break. Shackled Crouch well.

Koscielny – 6.5/10 – Was unfortunate to give the penalty away as we’ve certainly seen plenty get away with similar offences, but when your arm’s in the air like that you are asking for trouble.

Gibbs – 6.5/10 – Tried to get forward on occasion but final ball largely let him down.

Arteta – 7.5/10 – One of our better players. Battled well in midfield against the filthy/dirty/over-physical Whelan and Adam.

Wilshere – 6.5/10 – Had a frustrating game. Was picked out for some rough treatment, particularly in the first half, but just couldn’t get things going. This is why I thought he should have been left out for Flamini.

Rosicky – 6.5/10 – Worked hard as ever but another who just couldn’t find his flow. Booked for a poor challenge.

Cazorla – 6.5/10 – Showed some good feet early on but curled over, then should have played Podolski in but instead hit a weak shot straight at Begovic towards the end of the first half.

Podolski – 6/10 – Wasted a good chance to test the keeper midway through the first half but blasted wide. Did little else other than a few simple passes.

Giroud – 6/10 – Was clearly targetted by the Stoke backline who were coming through him all afternoon while Whelan and Adam also left their mark on him with disgraceful stamps. While the referee gave him little protection, Giroud simply couldn’t handle the rough stuff. His touch was also off and offered little in attack.

Subs:

The Ox -7.5/10 – Our best player when he came on. Finally he offered us some pace and was willing to run behind, which led to two great opportunities late on. Should have started.

Ozil – 6/10 – Went close with a left-footed strike.

Sanogo – 6/10 – Wasted a golden chance to make himself a hero with a late equaliser when he blazed over from 8 yards while unmarked.

So we’re now four points off Chelsea with a nightmare run of fixtures coming up. We’re going to have to win at Stamford Bridge and beat City at home to have a chance of the title you feel.

What were your ratings from the game?

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