Mikel Arteta – 2/10
Mathieu Flamini’s suspension for his dreadful tackle against Southampton now seems all the more foolish, for nominal holding midfielder Mikel Arteta offered almost zero protection to the Arsenal defence.
The Spaniard is the Gunners’ vice-captain, but showed no indication of leadership, and it took far too much time for his team to steady the ship.
He may have scored the penalty, but was Arsenal’s weakest player.
Jack Wilshere – 5/10
Received praise for getting into individual battles with the Liverpool team, but Jack Wilshere needed to show composure, accurate distribution and his usual incisive dribbling for Arsenal to get anything out of the game.
Instead of rallying his team-mates, he only riled himself up.
Santi Cazorla – 3/10
Santi Cazorla is believed to be in the team ahead of Lukas Podolski because of his passing, movement and work rate.
They were all absent today, as he frequently deserted his flank to join the overcrowded central midfield, and left Nacho Monreal brutally overexposed.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5/10
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain kept running throughout, and offered more help to Bacary Sagna at right back than Santi Cazorla on the opposite side, but gave the ball away far too often and was rarely able to penetrate the Liverpool back line.
The young England international did win the penalty for Mikel Arteta to rifle home though.
Mesut Ozil – 3/10
Comfortably Mesut Ozil’s worst ever game for Arsenal. The German gave the ball away for two of Liverpool’s first half goals, and could not find the creative touch or pass he is so renowned for.
When Arsenal required their talisman to step up and give a big performance, he was found lacking.
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