Arsenal v Liverpool: Player Ratings

Two goals against, yet nothing he could do about either. Coutinho’s effort was inch perfect, and an unmarked Skrtel nodded home easily in the closing stages. Made several wonderful saves in the dying minutes, and only one moment of pure panic at the edge of his box.

Struggled today, not only in dealing with Sterling, but also with his normally high quality of play going forward. Helped out mightily by Oxlade-Chamberlain’s tracking back.

Not his worst game, but certainly not a great one. Had a couple quality interceptions, but the relationship with Debuchy isn’t quite as stout as it appeared in their last pairing.

If he can develop a solid enough understanding with Mertesacker, Debuchy is a much better choice at deputy centre-back than Monreal. A solid header of the ball, he did well against a Liverpool squad with plenty of attacking verve. Scored the gutpunch goal at the end of the first half.

Arsenal’s best defender today, the left flank was kept quiet, though that’s in part to Sterling’s deployment on the right. Played the ball into Giroud that led to the go-ahead goal in the second half.

Picked up an early yellow and somehow managed to stay on for the duration of the match. Seemed frazzled against the quality and movement of Liverpool. Delivered the header for Debuchy’s equaliser.

Had a very poor day going forward, but his rating is saved by his magnificent work on Raheem Sterling on the right side. Stymied Liverpool’s pace man with some scintillating one-on-one defending.

MAN OF THE MATCH- Cazorla gets the nod today for one of the loneliest performances in recent memory. Saddled with making the four-wide midfield of Welbeck, Alexis, himself, and Oxlade-Chamberlain tick, he was the player trying to launch the counters. Had too little help in midfield as Welbeck and Alexis aren’t tremendously gifted passers and the Ox dropped off to provide cover for Chambers. Also provided a perfect ball to Giroud for his goal.

He’ll always work hard, but he’ll only thrive when he has a midfield engine running behind him. Arsenal were summarily outclassed and outnumbered in midfield today, and it affected him.

Started on the left but ended up swapping with Alexis before the half. Never posed much of a threat, but was a necessary presence when Arsenal played the long balls forward to relieve pressure on the back line.

Has made the case with recent performances that he’s Arsenal’s first choice striker. Once some midfielders return to fitness, expect to see Welbeck dropped in favor of Giroud up front with Alexis in the hold behind him or running off the left flank.

Replaced Mr. Giroud and was not as poor as everyone may have expected in executing his defensive responsibilities. Had a couple very nice passes out from the back to trigger potential counters.

Replaced Oxlade-Chamberlain and completed a couple passes in a mostly defensive final minutes.

Came on late for Alexis, didn’t do a great deal.