It was a game full of frustration today at the Emirates, with a point being the least of what the Gunners deserved. With a line-up that suffered a number of changes, Arsenal had to cope with a new look back-line, with the likes of Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin playing the full 90 minutes. Fan average is the second rating. Rate your own here.
Player ratings are as follows:
Wojciech Szczęsny – 6 /5.5
Other than the two goals, had a very inactive day with Hull only challenging the Pole with 4 shots off target. Could have been better placed for the first goal, unable to make himself big when Diame chipped over.
Hector Bellerin – 5 / 6.3
He gave a performance when he was needed, didn’t do a lot wrong but equally was short of attacking energy to really make the right hand side come alive. Improvement on crosses is needed.
Per Mertesacker – 6 / 4.8
Credit to the German who may have felt more pressure to look after Bellerin and Monreal, who are both non-regular starters in their positions today. Was at fault for the second goal, after being beaten in an aerial battle with Abel Hernandez.
Nacho Monreal – 5 / 4.3
Made a good start but as expected, a frustrating performance from the defender. Took very little to beat him today and looked vulnerable when Hull were on the counter. Took a lot of time to get used to playing in the middle, and was very easily drawn to the left hand side, opening up a hole for the first goal.
Kieran Gibbs – 6 / 6.0
Yet another consistent performance from the England international, he is improving his game going forward, creating chances from crosses was Arsenal’s main outlet today, and Gibbs was the provider on plenty of occasions. Came very close to grabbing the winner.
Matthieu Flamini – 5 / 3.3 (Replaced by Aaron Ramsey in the 63rd minute)
Had a lot of work to do today, and it showed. Didn’t do anything special, but did his job. You could say he was at fault in the build up to the conceding the first goal, but ultimately I believe that was a foul. Became tired during the second half and was eventually replaced by Rambo.
Jack Wilshere – 6 / 5.3 (Replaced by Joel Campbell in the 69th minute)
Jack is continuing a cracking run of form at the moment, and looks comfortable in the hole with Flamini again. Came close to making it 1-0, glancing a header just wide in the opening minutes. Working better on his number of touches, releasing the ball earlier to free up space.
Alexis Sanchez – 9 / 8.5 Man of the Match
Scorer of the first and creator of the second, Alexis just would not stop today. Yet again he showed his desire to work right up until the last-minute, resulting in a well deserved equalising goal for the Gunners. Plenty of diversity in his player role today as well, after being flexible in changing positions with Chamberlain, he was often switched from the left and the right to try to open something new up.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5 / 2.5
Big chance for him today but was off colour and wasted a great opportunity.
Santi Cazorla – 7 / 6.0
Very active and involved in a lot of the play today, relishing the chance to sit in that CAM role. Came close to finding the net on multiple occasions.
Danny Welbeck – 7 / 6.8
Grabbed the goal that will have meant a lot to not just himself, but every Arsenal fan in the building. Work rate off the ball was tireless, and showed that even when it didn’t look like Arsenal’s day, he can pop up and rescue a point.
Subs Used:
Aaron Ramsey (63′) – 5
Understandable, but Rambo just couldn’t get into the game properly today. Coming into a frustrating situation like that today was not helpful for the Welshman. Felt he sometimes was trying too hard.
Joel Campbell (69′) – 6
A good spell from Campbell but was off the pace on too many occasions. Number of chances fell to the winger, who sat as a second striker to Welbeck.