Arsenal v Liverpool: Player Ratings

MAN OF THE MATCH – Had no business saving Christian Benteke’s point-blank shot and made a highlight reel save on Coutinho’s curling effort. Redeemed himself for the mistakes against West Ham several times over, and salvaged a point for the Gunners.

Looked to have some nerves stemming from having Chambers be genuinely shocking for 45 minutes, but settled down as the game went on and used his pace to break up a couple long balls.

If the idea is to have Chambers play center back, it’s a long way from fruition. Was poor in clearing the ball, poor positionally, got caught on the ball as he advanced it too high up the pitch, etc. Has looked better with more experienced defenders alongside him so the talent is there, but he tried too hard tonight.  

The far superior of the two central defenders, he grew in potency as the game went on. Had a couple hiccups while marking Benteke, but few defenders wouldn’t.

Suffered from some of the same maladies as the rest of the back line, but muscled his way into relevance. Monreal uses his body better than he used to, and it’s part of what has catapulted him past Kieran Gibbs.

While at fault for some mistakes in surrendering possession in the first half, Coquelin was dominant in the tackle and made a couple timely interceptions. Also displayed some of the long range passing he’s clearly been practicing on the training ground.

Used on the right in much the same role as the match against Liverpool last year, he was always near an opportunity. Had a goal wrongfully disallowed and worked hard in the midfield as he drifted across the pitch. Aaron Ramsey has a tendency to overcomplicate the things that need doing, but the instances of that today were few and far between.

Wonderful opening spell, then a Dark Age where he was caught on the ball consistently. Very nearly gave Liverpool a goal when trying to pass out of the back, but he recovered his boots as the time ticked by.  

Put one off the post that a midseason Alexis would finish. He’s off the pace but coming online pretty quickly. Completed 86% of his passes and created three chances, but kills momentum a bit too often.

The glories of Crystal Palace didn’t replicate themselves, but he was always probing an increasingly entrenched Liverpool defense. Only real knock is his tendency to sit on the edge of the box instead of circulating and making the defense flex.

Was under fire after the first twenty minutes by the healthy contingent of people who don’t pay attention to anything other than the goalscoring tally. Olivier Giroud was central to Arsenal’s early verve, went quiet as the Arsenal midfield forgot how to pass, and then was heavily involved again during his time in the second half.

Virtually impossible to get him into the team against good opposition because it means sacrificing Santi Cazorla or Aaron Ramsey. Santi can’t go because we saw what a “physical midfield” looked like against West Ham, and Ramsey can’t go because of his lethal positioning. Would have liked to see him come on instead of Theo Walcott for a spell to combine with Giroud.

Completed one pass out of one attempted. Would have had a shot if not for Skrtel’s excellent and slightly lucky intervention.