Disaster for Debuchy: Arsenal Player Ratings as Cologne win 1-0

Follow us on Google Discover

Arsenal put in an shapeless display in Germany against Cologne. The home fans were the brightest thing about the match, how did the players do?

Goalkeeper: David Ospina – 5/10

Had precious little to do. Was helpless with the penalty.

Centre-back: Mathieu Debuchy – 3/10

He was comfortably the weakest of the Arsenal defenders. Rinsed on the dribble, cleared the ball poorly and he conceded the penalty that gave Cologne the win.

Centre-back: Per Mertesacker – 5/10

A reasonably comfortable night for the Big Friendly German.

Centre-back: Rob Holding – 5/10

For once he didn’t look like a headless chicken, but then he had little do. An average display.

Right wing-back: Calum Chambers – 5/10

Played his role with discipline but offered little in the way of meaningful width.

Defensive midfield: Francis Coquelin – 5/10

Some decent attacking forays. Offered zero control and didn’t even have his usual tackling tenacity.

Defensive midfield: Mohamed Elneny – 5/10

Played some nice passes but his set-pieces were shockingly bad.

Left wing-back: Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 7/10

Slowly growing into his wing-back role, he now looks comfortable. Was often Arsenal’s most purposeful player, trying to force the issue even early on.

Attacking midfield: Jack Wilshere – 7/10

By far the best Arsenal player on the pitch. Central to everything. Almost equalised in stoppage time with a thunderous drive.

Attacking midfield: Danny Welbeck – 6/10

A positive display on his return from injury. Welbeck was full of running and intent, playing a key role in several attacks before being subbed at half-time.

Striker: Olivier Giroud – 5/10

Held the ball up with his usual panache but fluffed an easy chance to equalise.

Alex Iwobi: – 5/10

Came on at half-time for Welbeck. Was direct but ineffective.

Reiss Nelson: – 7/10

Came on for Chambers after 66 minutes. Was bright, added drive and almost scored a mind-boggling wonder-goal with two minutes to go.

Eddie Nketiah: – n/a

Came on for Debuchy after 83 minutes. Had little effect.