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Arsenal resumed their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Stoke City at the Emirates, registering their first home win of the season. A first half strike from Theo Walcott and a late strike from Olivier Giroud rounded off a comfortable victory for the Gunners.
Stoke City’s horrendous record at the Emirates continued as they lost their eighth game in a row at Arsenal’s home ground. The Potters never really looked like troubling the London side even though they have brought in quality players into the side this term.
On the other hand, Arsene Wenger has not bought any new players in the transfer window into the team apart from Petr Cech and pundits have questioned Wenger’s spending habits. But Wenger’s team looked dangerous on the attack but could not convert their opportunities, otherwise there could have been more goals.
We look at the player ratings for the match at the Emirates:
Arsenal
Petr Cech – 7/10
The new Arsenal goalkeeper was hardly troubled by Stoke City’s attacks. He seemed much focused when the chances came at him and kept his second clean sheet of the season.
Monreal – 7/10
The Spanish left-back gave another impressive display at the Emirates and looked comfortable at the back and dangerous with his crosses. He covered well when Stoke did counter attack the Gunners on the rare opportunities.
Laurent Koscielny – 7.5/10
The strong, commanding centre-half was arguably the best player on the pitch for the Gunners along with partner Gabriel. The French international was dominant and commanding at the back. He kept out all the crosses and high balls that were intended for Stoke’s striker Joselu and then Diouf. He has formed a good understanding with Gabriel in the absence of the experienced Per Mertesacker.
Gabriel – 7.5/10
The Brazilian defender had an excellent game at the back, playing alongside Koscielny and keeping an eye on the Stoke attackers. Just like Koscielny, Gabriel looked commanding at the back, keeping out long balls and winning important headers. He was involved in a row with Arnautovic late in the game. The young central defender has filled the boots of Mertesacker quite well and Arsenal fans will be hoping that the defender keeps up the good work on the pitch.
Hector Bellerin – 7.5/10
Hector Bellerin has been another good find by Arsene Wenger and the Spanish right-back performed well on the pitch. He was seen getting involved in exchanges with Ramsey and Walcott early on. Bellerin was excellent on the attack and kept out Shaqiri and Arnautovic from making runs down the right. Arsenal fans will be hoping the young right back will keep playing well for their club.
Francis Coquelin – 7/10
Being an enforcer in the middle of the park and helping the defence transition into attack, Coquelin has been a rock in midfield and gives the defenders a sense of surety. He kept his passing simple and ventured the attacks with his vision. He thumped an important tackle to win back possession which led to the first goal by Walcott. He again showed why he is so important to Arsenal.
Santi Cazorla – 7.5/10
Santi Cazorla was the man of the first half. He was the creator of almost all opportunities that came Arsenal’s way throughout the game. He constantly looked to get on the ball and start the attacks. But was not very effective in the latter third of the attacks. He provided the cross for Giroud’s goal late into the game as Oxlade-Chamberlain was tripped by Bardsley.
Aaron Ramsey – 7/10
The Welsh midfielder has lacked the goals but looked brilliant in midfield. Along with Alexis Sanchez and Ozil, he combined to be a part of the Gunners’ attacks. But was seen getting frustrated playing in the right flank role. However, Ramsey’s hunger for the ball was well documented on the pitch as he ran to regain possession when he misplaced his passes, something he seems to have learned from Sanchez.
Alexis Sanchez – 7.5/10
The Chilean looked in the mood from the kickoff whistle and was his usual self, bouncing off defenders and avoiding tackles to create a buzz in the crowd at the Emirates. He will be wondering how he did not score in the game where he hit the post twice in the opening 10 minutes. Sanchez was substituted late in the game at the 83 minute mark and replaced by Mikel Arteta.
Mesut Ozil – 7/10
The German playmaker was at his usual best in the game where Arsenal created several opportunities. He did not feature in the game against Newcastle due to a knee injury but returned to the starting eleven following the conclusion of the international break. He produced an outstanding long pass to release Walcott for his goal. Ozil was substituted late in the game and replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Theo Walcott – 7/10
Theo Walcott started his second game in a row for the Gunners, keeping Giroud on the bench. He was bright at the start and could have had a hattrick to his name had he converted all the chances. But his goal came at a time when the Arsenal fans were starting to get frustrated with the lack of goals. The England international has been getting the nod, but does not look like the out-and-out striker Arsenal have needed.
Subs
Olivier Giroud – 7/10
Giroud came on in the second half in place of Walcott and got the best chance of the game when a back pass came at his feet but the Frenchman shot wide. Giroud provided another dimension to the Gunners as they looked to score the second. The goal finally came for the France international when Cazorla’s free kick was met by him and put past the keeper Butland. The player will be happy to have finally scored again, showing the fans that he can be the answer to their anxiety.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6/10
He came on for Mesut Ozil at the 83-minute mark and looked bright. He was tripped by Bardsley outside the box, the freekick of which led to Giroud’s headed goal. Chamberlain will be wondering why he hasn’t been getting a start as he looks the real deal and the crowd cheered as soon as he came on, screaming their approval.
Mikel Arteta – 6/10
Arteta came on as a substitute late on in the game in place of Alexis Sanchez. He was his typical self and calmed down the game with his clever tackles and passes.
Stoke City
Jack Butland – 7.5/10
Butland was the man of the match in spite of Arsenal wining the game. His string of fine saves helped keep out Sanchez and company in the opening ten minutes of the game. He was unlucky to be on the losing end despite his top performance. He has shown he is developing into a good goalkeeper.
Marc Muniesa – 4.5/10
Muniesa seemed to lack speed and could not match Arsenal’s attacking speed. He was slow and could not keep out the goals from Walcott and then Giroud. Stoke’s defense needs to tighten up if they are to pose a threat to the top half teams.
Geoff Cameron – 5/10
Cameron had an off day as he looked slow and clumsy in the first half. He could not cope with Arsenal’s passing and speed, which resulted in a loss for the Potters. However, he was better in the second half and prevented the Gunners from scoring more goals.
Phil Bardsley – 5.5/10
Bardsley had a tough game as he had to cope with Alexis’s pace and trickery. Along with Sanchez, Monreal was also giving him problems, running on the overlaps. Late in the game, Bardsley gave away the freekick which led to Giroud’s goal.
Eric Pieters – 5/10
He was Stoke’s best midfield player as he stopped Ramsey’s passes and prevented him from running past him. But generally he looked sloppy and gave away possession way too easily at times.
Glenn Whelan – 5/10
The experienced midfielder was seen sitting in front of the Stoke back four. But failed to stop the Gunners from exploiting the defense. He was poor and gave away possession like his other teammates.
Marco van Ginkel – 5/10
The player was seen making needless runs. He was not effective at all in midfield and was shown why he needs to tighten up and play well. He lacked quality on the ball but improved in the second half.
Marco Arnautovic – 6/10
Arnautovic was the only hope for the Potters. He made runs and tried to get on the end of the long balls but failed to use his physicality with Koscielny and Gabriel doing well to deny him any real opportunities. He was involved in a skirmish with Gabriel late in the game.
Xherdan Shaqiri – 5/10
The Swiss international looked nothing like his usual self. He was poor on the night as he could not produce any potent chances for the Potters. He did create a few counter attacking opportunities but the end result was nil.
Mame Biram Diouf – 6/10
He looked bright when Stoke tried to counter but could not be a part of anything productive. He worked hard for his side on the counter. However, he ended up making poor decisions when it mattered and was caught in offside positions when the chances came. He was substituted at the 73-minute mark and replaced by Bojan Krkic.
Joselu – 4/10
He was the worst performer for the Potters. He was never really involved in the game and went missing. The young Spanish striker was substituted in the 57th minute and replaced by Ireland.
SUBSTITUTES:
Stephen Ireland – 6/10
After coming on for Joselu in the 57th minute, the player looked tidy on the ball. But he did not create any opportunities.
Bojan Krkic – 4/10
A lot was expected from Bojan by the Stoke City fans, but the Spanish playmaker disappointed his fans and could not produce anything realistic. He replaced Diouf 15 minutes from time and just saw off the loss for the Potters.
