Arsenal vs Stoke City: Gunner Player Ratings in 3-1 Victory

Arsenal are coming off another win, this time against Stoke City, and are feeling great. Robin Van Persie, for the second game in a row, has netted for the team. They are moving up the table quickly and seem to have found a working rhythm. Here are the player ratings for the Gunners.

Arsenal

Wojciech Szczesny: 6.5

The usually fabulous keeper was left alone at the Arsenal end for the better part of the match and had little to no trouble handling most of the attacking attempts made by the opposing side.

Laurent Koscielny: 8.0

The French international looked very impressive today, handling tricky passes and clever through balls with ease, and was the best from the defending four. Koscielny looks like he has settled into his groove after his respective injury. I hope to see him play like he played today for many games to come.

Per Mertesacker: 7.0

While the German did allow the goal from Crouch to go by, he did a relatively good job handling the sole Stoke forward. He, like many other summer transfer acquisitions, is settling into his position and playing well. He and Koscielny are starting to form an amazing partnership that could be effective and vital throughout the remainder of the season.

Johan Djourou: 6.0

He controlled the right side of the defense with ease, yet was not really offered a challenge from Walters. He had no hesitation to stay to himself, unlike Jenkinson and Sagna, who would do as much as possible to aid the offense. During their next match against Bolton in the Carling Cup, Wenger should start Jenkinson, who has been improving exponentially over the matches that he has played.

Andre Santos: 6.0

Santos was partly to blame for Crouch's equalizing shot and made little to no attempt to aid the offense. Fans and players would like to see better performances from the Brazilian.

Mikel Arteta: 7.5

Like Mertesacker, he is settling into the Arsenal midfield and would consistently trouble the Stoke defense. Smart and quick passes are becoming the norm for Arteta, yet he can't help keeping the ball to himself sometimes.

Alex Song: 7.0

Another good performance by Song has left him as one of the most vital players on the squad. He can assert a physical dominance over other players in the midfield that leaves them struggling to control him. He is able to set up chances for fellow midfielders Arteta and Ramsey.

Gervinho: 8.0

Gervinho has become essential to the scoring part of Arsenal's game, finishing one nice shot and adding two assists. He is one of the most productive players on the team. 

Emmanuel Frimpong: 5.5

A substitute put on for Gervinho that was mainly played to run out the clock. He had no direct impact on the result of the match yet may be useful in future matches.

Theo Walcott: 6.0

Another shaky performance left Walcott in an even worse position with Arsenal. He has had transfer speculation for some time now over a move to an Italian club. His move may be very good for Arsenal because he really has not been putting in the right effort for the club.

Andrei Arshavin: 6.0

The Russian was only brought on towards the end of the match and made little contribution. He made neat and tidy passes now and then, yet failed to put in the effort that many saw him put in against Sunderland and Tottenham.

Marouane Chamakh: 4.5

Very poor performance from Chamakh left fans just dying to see their captain come onto the pitch. He should have scored twice during the first half and was, without hesitation, subbed out for Van Persie, early in the second half.

Robin Van Persie: 8.5

Van Persie started the match on the bench and did not come on until early in the second half. He was probably the best substitute Arsenal have had in a while, scoring two goals and saving Arsenal from a dishonorable draw. It just shows how reliant this Arsenal squad are on Van Persie.

Aaron Ramsey: 8.5

Ramsey was the Arsenal Man of the Match today against Stoke City. He played an excellent game, creating opportunities for the other midfielders and moving the ball up the field on the attack. While many of the players that played today did not play at their best, Ramsey stepped up and had a very good show at the Emirates today.