Arsenal vs Monaco Thoughts on performance and Player Ratings

Wenger was clearly upset with the performance

   What was expected to be a easy draw, turned out to be exact opposite as Arsenal inflicted a self defeat of 3-1 against Monaco. Gunners missed bagful of chances on a day which was made worse by their suicidal defending.

   Arsenal started the game cautiously and were seemed to be playing with the intent of not letting the opposition score. They also had majority of the possession but were not allowed to play freely throughout the match. They were under constant pressure from Monaco's pressing and looked clueless against it. Gunners were often caught on the break and conceded twice on counter.

   If there is one word that can epitomize Arsenal's performance than that has to be 'Shambolic'. The only positive for them was Ox's goal which gives them glimmer of hope going in the second leg.

Player Ratings

DAVID OSPINA - 3/10. Did more than enough damage to his pursuit of establishing as the No 1 with this sub-standard performance. He could have prevented Kondogbia's deflected strike from going in the goal.

HECTOR BELLERIN - 5/10. Only player who was defensively good. Not got exposed. But not good from attacking perspective.

PER MERTESACKER - 2/10. Was unfortunate with the deflection. But he didn't do anything good. The worst player on the pitch since Monaco exposed his every weakness.

LAURENT KOSCIELNY - 4/10. Wasteful on the ball. Had an off-day.

KEIRAN GIBBS - 4/10. Don't know what prompted Wenger to start him. Certain to be dropped for next game.

FRANCIS COQUELIN - 5/10. Struggled, worked-hard and taken off in the second half. Not his day.

SANTI CAZORLA - 6/10. Statistically the best performer. Was decent but failed to have any kind of influence.

DANNY WELBECK - 5.5/10. Troubled the defenders but didn't troubled the keeper.

ALEXIS SANCHEZ - 6/10. His end product let him down. But it was a typical Sanchez performance.

MESUT ÖZIL - 5/10. He is expected to be the orchestrator in such games where everyone besides him are underwhelming but disappointed again.

OLIVIER GIROUD - 4/10. Clearly not his day as he failed to convert any of the 6 chances he got including a sitter. Will need to work on confidence again after such a disappointing night.

THEO WALCOTT - 5/10. Made some typical Walcott run and created a chance with it which Welbz rebounded off him over the bar.

ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN - 4/10. Besides the goal, nothing good in his game.

TOMAS ROSICKY - NA. Will be unfair to judge on such a short spell.

Let's hope they all turn up against Everton on Sunday.