Arsenal pick up their first point of the season away at the premier league champions. A good point in the end considering we should have been down to ten men and probably should have given away a penalty near full time. However, the performances of Koscielny, Xhaka and Coquelin were all promising in their defensive roles.

Cech – 7 – Pulled off a very good save in the end and look assured at the back.

Bellerin – 7 – Looked a threat going forward at times and played well defensively. Should have conceded a penalty but got away with it.

Holding – 7 – Played well next to an experienced partner. Looked assured at the back but needs to be careful with his touch.

Koscielny – 9 – Was immense all afternoon and showed why he is so important to this side.

Monreal – 7 – Made a couple of crucial player headers near the end and defended consistently well.

Coquelin – 8 – Was excellent throughout the match and read the play well. Should have picked up a second yellow but worked extremely hard.

Xhaka – 8 – Looked very good in the defensive two and showed that he is a very good player. Filled in the gaps when players went forward which is very unlike previous Arsenal midfielders.

Walcott – 6 – Looked a threat at times but also disappeared.  Worked hard which was summed  up when he chased back and won the ball.

Cazorla – 6 – Had a quiet game and couldn’t really get on the ball.

Oxlade – Chamberlain – 6 – Looks a threat when driving at defenders but is similar to Walcott in the sense he disappears.

Sanchez – 6 – Had a tough game up front against two big defenders and its further evidence he cannot play up front. Looked better when going to the left.

Subs

Ӧzil – 6 – Looked dangerous once he came on and nearly got himself a goal.

Wilshere -6 – Tried to drive the team forward but needs to be more defensively disciplined.

Giroud – N/A – Didn’t get much time to influence the game.

Overall, a very good point at a tough ground.  The positive is the defensive solidity which was shown from the two holding midfielders. The negative is that we don’t seem to have much threat up front. The coming week is now important in the sense we need to get bodies in.