Arsenal advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday after an exciting 3-2 win in Brighton.
In a weekend where many of the Premier League big boys were evicted from the competition by lower league teams, Arsenal were one of the few to survive. Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil started together for the first time since 2013. Both players managed to get on the scoresheet in the opening 30 minutes – a huge positive.
Below are my player ratings. You can rate the Arsenal team yourself here
Woijech Szczesny: 6/10 – Some blaming the Pole for the second goal and he didn’t do an awful lot right. Expect Ospina to be back into the team next week.
Calum Chambers: 6/10 – Managed a brilliant assist in the opening 2 minutes, but after that he didn’t look too comfortable. Partial blame can be designated to him for the first goal.
Nacho Monreal: 6/10 – Monreal has proved to be a decent centre back option but he was far from his best today.
Laurent Koscielny: 6.5/10 – The French defender looked one of Arsenal’s most comfortable defenders but wasn’t at his irresistible best. But sometimes he did a little bit too much on the ball.
Kieran Gibbs: 6.5/10 – Gibbs made a good account for himself today. Coming forward with pace and power and making no defensive faults.
Mathieu Flamini: 5/10 – The Frenchman had a chance today to show why he still has a future at Arsenal. He failed to do so. I would like to see him replaced this month, as beyond Coquelin we look weak in this position.
Aaron Ramsey: 6.5/10 – Ramsey has struggled to find his best form since returning from injury, but he looked a bit better today. The Welshman did not stand out for any good or bad reasons.
Rate the Arsenal team yourself here
Mesut Ozil (off 80): 7/10 – Ozil started his first game since October and looked sharp. A very clinical finish from the German and he was fluent in Arsenal’s attacking play.
Tomas Rosicky: 8/10 – What a performance from the 34 (wow) year old. Wenger used to sell players after they turned 30, thank God he didn’t do that with this Czech.
Theo Walcott (off 65): 7/10 – I was so happy to see Walcott score inside 2 minutes. He really needed that confidence boost and his goal was very well taken. He was a constant threat and will have been happy with that 65 minutes.
Olivier Giroud (off 65): 6.5/10 – Made some good runs but will be disappointed not to have added to his goal tally today.
Subs:
Chuba Akpom (on 65): 6.5/10
Alexis Sanchez (on 65): 6/10
Francis Coquelin (on 80): 6.5/10
Do you agree with the scores given after Arsenal’s FA Cup win?