Arsenal vs Newcastle United – Player Ratings: Quiet Ozil, Brilliant Cech and Poor Flamini

Arsenal clinched a hard-fought 1-0 win over Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium today. The Gunners were far from their best today and would consider themselves lucky to get out of the game with all three points.

Arsene Wenger said after the game: “The mental aspect of our team and our defence mentality was tested today rather than our quality going forward.”

Let’s see how the Arsenal players rated:

Petr Cech: 9

He made some spectacular saves today and kept the Gunners in the game. He’s truly making his presence felt at Arsenal. What a signing!

Hector Bellerin: 6

He made some brilliant runs on the right flank during the early stages of the game, but he need to improve his crossing.

Per Mertesacker: 7

He made a lot of clearances and kept Newcastle at bay.

Laurent Koscielny: 7

He was caught out on Wijnaldum’s run, but Cech spared his blushes by making a superb save. He more than made up for it by scoring the winner.

Nacho Monreal: 6.5

It was an ordinary performance from the Spaniard. Nothing spectacular, but solid nevertheless.

Mathieu Flamini: 6.5

He won some tackles, but he’s not quite Francis Coquelin. Arsenal could really do with the return of Coquelin from injury.

Aaron Ramsey: 6.5

He was industrious as ever and made the highest number of chances. But he squandered a really easy opportunity late in the game.

Mesut Ozil: 6.5

He had a quiet game by his standards, but it was his corner from which the goal was scored.

Theo Walcott: 6

He failed to influence the game, and he was substituted late in the game.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 6

Similar to Walcott, barring a couple of runs, he found it hard to get going in the game. His lack of form of late has been worrying.

Olivier Giroud: 6.5

Like much of Arsenal’s attack, he didn’t have a great day. But he held the ball up and also provided the assist to Koscielny’s goal.

Kieran Gibbs: 6

He was sent to shore up the defence, and he did just that.

Joel Campbell: 6

He was positive during the time he was on the pitch.