Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal: Player Ratings

Alex Iwobi
Alex Iwobi in action against Sunderland

Arsenal dropped points once again as the race for top four heats up. The Gunners needed a win to leapfrog Manchester City into third position, but Arsene Wenger’s side fired blanks at the Stadium of Light against relegation-threatened Sunderland.

Sam Allardyce’s side secured a crucial point in their bid to stay in the top-flight and have now moved clear of the relegation zone courtesy of a better goal difference than Norwich City, who are also on 31 points from 34 games.

Here are the player ratings for the match.

Sunderland

Vito Mannone – 7.5/10

The former Arsenal shot-stopper kept his side in the game with some superb saves. The Italian did brilliantly to keep out Alexis Sanchez’s free-kick.

DeAndre Yedlin – 6/10

Yedlin produced some vital blocks during the game and kept the electric Alexis Sanchez at bay. However, the full-back was lucky not to concede a penalty in the first-half when Alex Iwobi’s close range shot ricocheted off his arm.

Younes Kaboul – 6.5/10

Kept the Arsenal attackers at bay for most of the game, but was almost punished by Walcott in the closing stages as he failed to judge a long ball correctly.

Lamine Kone – 6.5/10

The Ivory Coast international had a good game and was able to keep Olivier Giroud quiet for most of the game.

Patrick van Aanholt – 6/10

A solid game from the Dutch international on the left-hand side of defence. The 25-year-old was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when his header cannoned off the crossbar with Petr Cech rooted to his spot.

Yann M’Vila – 5/10

M’Vila was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium a few years ago, but the Frenchman didn’t have the best of game against the Gunners. Although he worked hard for his team, but the 25-year-old failed to influence the game.

Jan Kirchhoff – 7/10

The January signing from Bayern Munich had a superb game in the defensive midfield position. The German shielded his back four efficiently and broke up Arsenal attacks at will. Was replaced by Larsson in the 78th minute.

Lee Cattermole – 5/10

The Black Cats captain had a decent game in midfield, but couldn’t dominate from the middle of the park against a more technical Arsenal midfield.

Fabio Borini – 5/10

The former Liverpool man worked hard and caused some trouble to the Arsenal defence with his movement, but could not influence the game as he would have liked. Not his best performance in a Sunderland shirt. Replaced by Watmore in the 74th minute.

Wahbi Khazri – 6/10

The 25-year-old January signing from Bordeaux worked relentlessly during the game and put some good crosses into the box. The winger was booked in the dying minutes of the game for a poor challenge on Jack Wilshere.

Jermain Defoe – 6.5/10

Was Sunderland’s biggest goal threat, and came close to breaking the deadlock on a few occasions, only to be denied by some excellent saves from Petr Cech. Defoe was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in the first-half when his shot from close range struck Per Mertesacker on the hand.

Substitutes:

Duncan Watmore – N/A

Watmore replaced Borini in the 74th minute and brought energy to Allardyce’s side as Sunderland looked to hang on to the draw.

Sebastian Larsson – N/A

The former Arsenal player came on in the 78th minute and didn’t have much impact on the game.

Arsenal

Laurent Koscielny Fabio Borini
Laurent Koscielny vies with Fabio Borini

Petr Cech – 7.5/10

The Czech Republic shot-stopper produced a series of good saves to keep Gunners in the game. Was possibly Arsenal’s best player on the pitch.

Hector Bellerin – 6/10

A poor game for the Spaniard as he failed to overlap and provide crosses for Giroud and company. The 21-year-old was lucky that Sunderland were not awarded a penalty after his poor headed clearance fell to Defoe, whose shot struck Mertesacker on the hand.

Per Mertesacker – 5.5/10

The German was kept on his toes by Defoe throughout the game and was lucky to not concede a penalty in the first-half.

Laurent Koscielny – 6/10

Endured a poor game by his standards, but made some vital blocks. Ducked inexplicably when Sunderland were attacking a corner. Was booked late in the second half for a challenge on Watmore.

Nacho Monreal – 6/10

The Spaniard was solid on the left-hand side and kept Yedlin and Borini at way. Couldn’t overlap like he is accustomed to, but provided some inviting crosses when he did.

Aaron Ramsey – 4/10

After a brilliant performance against West Brom, the Welsh midfielder endured a horrific game in midfield. The 25-year-old gave away possession a couple of times, while he was also sloppy with his passing.

Mohamed Elneny – 6/10

The January-signing from FC Basel was industrious in midfield and provided an outlet in attack for the Gunners. Defended well, but was booked late on in the game.

Alexis Sánchez – 6.5/10

Following a man of the match performance against West Brom, the Chilean was abysmal against the Black Cats. Saw a brilliant free-kick saved by Mannone in the first-half.

Mesut Ozil – 5.5/10

The German playmaker has suffered a dip in form lately and couldn’t influence the game as he is used to. Still created five chances for his side, but was replaced by the returning Jack Wilshere in the 84th minute.

Alex Iwobi – 6/10

The teenager had a good game and saw all of his efforts saved by Mannone. Iwobi was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when his shot struck Yedlin inside the box.

Olivier Giroud 1.5/10

The striker has now failed to score in 19 of his last 20 games for the Gunners in all competitions. Lacked the support and tried to bring his teammates to play with his hold-up play, but overall failed to threaten.

Substitutes:

Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere returned to first-team action for the first time in 11 months

Danny Welbeck – 5/10

The striker forced some good saves from Mannone after coming on, but couldn’t break the deadlock for his side.

Theo Walcott – N/A

Replaced Iwobi in the 71st minute and didn’t have much impact on the game, but missed an easy chance after beating Kaboul.

Jack Wilshere – N/A

The midfielder replaced Ozil in the 84th minute to make his first appearance in 330 days. Didn’t have much time to influence the game.

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Edited by Staff Editor