Player Ratings: Arsenal vs Blackburn Rovers

ARSENAL:

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: Dejected Arsenal players Mikel Arteta (L) and Jack Wilshere (R) look on as Blackburn players celebrate their team’s 1-0 victory during the FA Cup fifth round match between Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers

Wojciech Szczesny: 4Wasn’t involved in most of the match but it was his miscued parry that allowed Kazim Richards to score the winner.

Laurent Koscielny: 5Was never actually put under much pressure through the match but was found out of position when it mattered as Blackburn scored the all important goal. Didn’t follow his marker.

Monreal: 6.5The new signing seemed to be Arsenal’s shining light as he slotted into the squad easily and was solid defensively

Thomas Vermaelen: 6Back from injury and looked to fit and kept Rhodes at bay. One of his headers also managed to loop just wide.

Francis Coquelin: 6.5Was more used in the attacking sense and did the job well as he was very solid defensively and managed to involve others into the attacking play as well.

Mikel Arteta: 5.5Played a holding midfield role in the beginning but started advancing forward as the game went on and especially after the substitutions. Could have won it in the end but missed the target while there were other players waiting in better positions.

A. Diaby: 5.5Had one of his shots in the beginning saved by Kean. Had a haphazard sort of a match with many of his passes really accurate and some plain awful.

Tomas Rosicky: 6Had a bullet shot saved by Kean and also played well to bring other players in the match, like Gervinho, who should have scored. Started losing concentration and was subbed off.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 6Was a good outlet in the attacking third as his ace was deadly and combined with Coquelin well. Switched flanks in the second half and was not very effective after that.

Olivier Giroud: 5Was starved of service for most of the match and got into some good positions but he can be disappointed with his teammates.

Gervinho: 3Returning from the African Confederations Cup, the man was showing his poor form before he left with an awful finish that could have given Arsenal some hope. Was generally sloppy.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Santi Cazorla: 6Came in to spruce up the attack and did a lot of good work but was unable to deliver in the end.

Jack Wilshere: 6Added drive in the midfield that was missing in the beginning and one wonders why he didn’t start.

Theo Walcott: 5Was isolated on the wing and couldn’t get past the Blackburn defense much. Had a great chance at the very end to win it but headed it directly to Kean.

BLACKBURN ROVERS:

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: Match winning goalscorer Colin Kazim-Richards of Blackburn celebrates his team’s 1-0 victory during the FA Cup fifth round match between Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers

Jake Kean: 8Was tested very sporadically but made an awesome reflex save to deny Diaby and managed to keep Arsenal at bay till the end.

Bradley Orr: 5Managed Gervinho easily and was a live wire going forward. Was a little shaken after receiving his booking.

Grant Hanley: 7Was sturdy at the back and didn’t let anyone past him. Gave the attackers very little time on the ball and was always there to match the last tackle.

Martin Olsson: 7Was really in the mood today as he used his pace very effectively and managed to clear the ball away from danger. It was his probing run that allowed Blackburn to score, forcing a save by the goalkeeper.

Scott Dann: 6Was a solid presence at the back and easily won aerial duels. Managed to stifle Arsenal till the very end.

Jason Lowe: 6.5Worked hard and tracked his runners well. Once the substitutions were made, he had to cope up but was confident along with his very able defense.

Lee Williamson: 5Was tormented for most of the game by the attacking presence of Arsenal and was a little shaky but put some well timed blocks in.

Morten-Gamst Pedersen: 5.5Was caught out of position occasionally and couldn’t actually manage with his various roles as the attackers kept changing.

Marcus Olsson: 6.5Was brave enough and had a good deal of industry in his game as he was found in the attack at one minute and clearing the ball from the back in the next minute.

Colin Kazim-Richards: 6Was totally out of the game almost contributing nothing, but was there at the right moment to knock home the ball.

Jordan Rhodes: 6Was industrious in his overall play but compensated on actual quality. Was subbed off later.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

David Bentley: 6Was introduced and failed to make much impact.

David Goodwillie: N/ALate sub for Rhodes.