Arsenal v Monaco: Player Ratings
Arsenal beat Monaco 2-0 away from home Tuesday, but it wasn’t enough to see them progress to the quarterfinals of the Champion’s League. Now out of the competition, they return to action in the fight for second (and maybe first?) against Newcastle. Here are your player ratings:
DAVID OSPINA
GK, Arsenal FC7.0
A spectator all night as Monaco managed three shots and none were on target.
HECTOR BELLERIN
RB, Arsenal FC7.4
Normally a good crosser, he put poor balls in too often. Fought well on the right hand side, winning 5/6 of his tackles. Better work toward the final third could have made a big difference.
PER MERTESACKER
CB, Arsenal FC7.8
Had a couple critical clearances in the box to preserve the clean sheet and keep Arsenal very much in it.
LAURENT KOSCIELNY
CB, Arsenal FC7.8
The commentators described him as rugged and resolute. That’s exactly what he was, with two primetime clearances from dangerous balls drilled into the box.
NACHO MONREAL
LB, Arsenal FC7.1
Very well could have lost his starting job as he looked to be on his back foot much of the time. Most Arsenal fans were crying for a switch for Gibbs at half time. When Arsenal dominate possession, Gibbs may be the better option as his speed allows him to do more damage in defense against counters.
FRANCIS COQUELIN
MID, Arsenal FC7.6
Battled hard and lost the ball at the beginning of a couple Arsenal sweeping moves to kill them. Completed 52/55 passes before exiting the match. Rough day in the air, winning only one aerial duel.
SANTI CAZORLA
MID, Arsenal FC7.8
Completed 106/122 passes, missing mainly on long balls. Created one chance, but was dropped deeper alongside Coquelin to start, meaning his main task was to feed the ball up to Ozil and spread wide to Alexis and Welbeck.
.jpg)
MESUT OZIL
MID, Arsenal FC7.7
Created two chances and took a good free kick, which I believe was headed over or off the bar. A polarizing figure, I have a feeling we’ll be discussing him in depth soon enough.
DANNY WELBECK
FWD, Arsenal FC7.0
Looked good in the opening stages, but it seems like the closer he gets to goal, the worse his decision making gets. Tended to drift too narrow too often, limiting Arsenal’s width in a situation where you absolutely cannot make that mistake.
ALEXIS SANCHEZ
FWD, Arsenal FC6.6
He needs rest. The fatigue is showing in every aspect of his game; from his footwork to his passing to his decision making, Alexis was a liability against Monaco.
OLIVIER GIROUD
ST, Arsenal FC7.9
MAN OF THE MATCH – Before the match, I was banking on a Giroud brace or hat-trick. I was wrong. But he played well and very nearly won it for Arsenal. His goal was a sublime shot into the roof of the net. In fairness to him, the cross that went off him tamely into the hands of the keeper was nicked on the way in.
.jpg)
AARON RAMSEY
MID, Arsenal FC7.8
There was no doubt that he was going to score when he came on. I was harsh on his last good performance, but I think he’s done enough to warrant a starting spot currently, as Cazorla seems like he may need some rest. A well-taken goal for Arsenal’s second.
on the outs with Wenger may be over."
> 
KIERAN GIBBS
LB, Arsenal FC7.4
Created one chance from the favorite spot on the pitch for him to get to, which is near the end line. The problem with Gibbs is that he’s not too inventive and typically just knocks it toward the end line and leans on his speed to get crosses in. That being said, his days of being on the outs with Wenger may be over.
THEO WALCOTT
MID, Arsenal FC7.3
Completed four passes. Denied on a good shot by the post, though it led to Arsenal’s second. Just can’t imagine him starting any time soon for Arsenal unless injury dictates it.
