Fresh Football Fresh quotes, opinion and reaction to the beautiful game.
The Gunners ran riot against FC Basel on Tuesday, winning 4-1 and remaining unbeaten in the Champions League thus far. With PSG drawing, the win meant Arsenal topped their group for the first time in 6 years. Here are Fresh Football’s ratings for the Arsenal eleven.
David Ospina - 7
Made two good saves and looked very comfortable in between the sticks in the first half and could do little about Doumbia’s consolation goal for Basel.
Gabriel - 7
Since Hector Bellerin’s injury Gabriel has slotted in at right-back and has done superb thus far, he was solid in the first half and won tackles whilst being defensively strong in the air with much of the same in the second half, solid performance.
Rob Holding - 7.5
The 21-year-old’s first start in the Champions League this season was a success, in the first half he was composed in possession and defensively sound with much the same in the second half, apart from maybe losing his marker in Basel’s goal he was a rock at the back and did not look out of place.
Laurent Koscielny - 7.5
As always, the Frenchman was solid at the back for Arsenal and comfortable in possession throughout and kept the Basel attack at bay.
Kieran Gibbs - 9
Gibbs was superb in the first half, he grabbed an assist in the 8th minute with a smart pass across goal paving the way for Lucas to slot home, he then saw his shot saved to lead the way for Perez to net again, a carbon copy of the first goal.Not only was he superb going forward but also defensively brilliant in a marvellous performance.
Granit Xhaka - 8.5
Solid and efficient in possession as always, did not let the occasion of returning home get to him and played some brilliant passes through the lines throughout the match.
Aaron Ramsey - 8
Playing in the midfield pivot for the first time with Granit Xhaka was a new experiment for Arsene Wenger, the Welshman was good in possession and was always an outlet going forward but did leave Xhaka isolated in his defensive role at times in the first half but showed much more solidarity in the second.
Alex Iwobi - 8
Iwobi, who has been fighting for his place in recent weeks looked really up for the game in the early stages and was closing down and good on the ball, he gave away possession at times in the latter stages of the half though. Scored Arsenal’s fourth goal in the second half with a tidy finish and his work rate was immense throughout.
Mesut Ozil - 8.5
The German magician was superb for the Gunners in the first half, he passed the ball to Gibbs exquisitely in the build up for the second goal whilst remaining immense on the ball. A brilliant assist in the 53rd minute to set up Alex Iwobi, pulled the strings and was majestic throughout before being subbed on the 73rd minute.
Lucas Perez - 9.5 (MOTM)
Talk about being a fox in the box, Lucas was alert for both his goals in the first half poaching at the back post. Scored his third goal in the first minute of the second half with a brilliant finish running away from goal and was working hard for the Gunners from start to finish. Lucas played most of the game on the right-wing.
Alexis Sanchez - 8.5
The man who scored a wonderful hat-trick on Saturday was again quality for the Gunners, his pass to Gibbs for the first goal was beautiful, a hawk-eye pass which was pitch perfect, Arsenal’s Chilean was quiet going forward but was brilliant on the ball and closed down quickly from the front. Beautiful pass to Ozil to assist Iwobi, hit the bar with a magnificent free-kick before being substituted in the 69th min.
Subs
Olivier Giroud - 6
Nearly scored in the 73rd minute but saw his effort just go past the post but did not make much of an impact in the time he had.
Mohamed Elneny - 6
Solidified the midfield and kept things ticking in the closing moments.
Theo Walcott - 6
Made a few runs at the Basel defence and had one shot comfortably saved, but like Giroud, did not influence the game when he come on.
