Arsenal will have aspirations of challenging for the title this season and this could prove to be a vital point. They didn’t play well at all against Manchester United and didn’t deserve to get anything from the game. However, title challengers manage to pick up points when they are playing badly and the fighting spirit from the players on Saturday will encourage supporters. Here is how their players rated on Saturday:
Petr Cech – The goalkeeper made a number of good saves, especially in the first half, but he couldn’t keep a clean sheet. There was little he could do for Juan Mata’s goal. 6
Carl Jenkinson – Many doubted his ability to adequately replace Hector Bellerin, but the Englishman delivered a good performance on Saturday. He finished the game with three aerial duels won and four completed tackles. Although he lacks the attacking quality of Bellerin, he was solid at the back and can’t be criticised for the defeat. 6
Skhodran Mustafi – The German has been very good since joining Arsenal and he was solid once again. He doesn’t give anything away and has been a reliable partner for Laurent Koscielny. Per Mertesacker will find it difficult to get back into this team. 7
Laurent Koscielny – He has been one of Arsenal’s best players in recent years and he will be slightly disappointed with his performance against Manchester United. The French international failed to make a single tackle and made only one interception. 5
Nacho Monreal – The Spaniard has been one of the most consistent players for Arsenal in the last 12 months, but he didn’t play well against Manchester United. He was at fault for the first goal as he failed to match the run of Ander Herrera in the build-up. 5
Francis Coquelin – He was better than his midfield partner, making several key challenges to stop several Manchester United attacks. His work rate and tenacity mark him as one of the best at winning the ball back in the league, which he showed once again at Old Trafford. 7
Mohamed Elneny – The central midfielder didn’t give his best performance in an Arsenal shirt and was deservedly substituted after Juan Mata’s goal. He failed to control the midfield area against the likes of Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick. Wenger may now regret the decision to start with him over Granit Xhaka. 4
Theo Walcott – The Arsenal attackers didn’t get into the game much at all, with the side having only five shots during the match. Walcott didn’t influence the match, but he wasn’t getting the ball in dangerous areas either, so it wasn’t entirely due to his own poor performance. 5
Mesut Ozil – As always, Ozil looked very good in possession and United found it difficult to dispossess him. However, he didn’t create much at all and this will concern Arsene Wenger. The German international creative stats are significantly lower than they were last season and it is becoming more than just a blip. 4
Aaron Ramsey – The Welshman didn’t look comfortable when played on the left wing and failed to get into the game. Arsenal’s transition play was poor and they couldn’t get their attack-minded players on the ball in the final third as much as they usually do. It could be that Ramsey is moved back into a central area next week to correct that problem. 5
Alexis Sanchez – There were doubts about the Chilean’s fitness during the week and he failed to make an impact on Saturday. He didn’t look like he was fully fit and moved gingerly at times. Arsenal may have been better off resting him for this match. 5
Olivier Giroud – He will have been disappointed not to start, but the striker managed to have a telling impact on the game with an excellent header to equalise late on. It secured a crucial point for his side and maintained the momentum that has been building since the opening day of the season. 7
Granit Xhaka – The midfielder didn’t have an impact on the game, therefore it would be unfair to give him a rating. N/A
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – The Englishman has been a lot better this season and it is obvious that he has been working on his end product on the training ground. He was given only minutes to impress, but he took his opportunity with a great run and cross to set up the equalising goal. 7
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