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Arsenal ratings as retiring Petr Cech only bright spot in Europa League horror show

Chris Bailey

01:20 30/05/2019

Eden Hazard had his fingerprints all over a majestic Chelsea performance in what is likely to be his last appearance for the club, as the Blues destroyed their London rivals Arsenal 4-1 in the Europa League final.

After a rather drab first half, Olivier Giroud, Hazard and Pedro combined to devastating effect against a hapless Arsenal.

Giroud’s brilliant diving header kicked things off, Pedro’s smart finish doubled proceedings while Hazard scored a penalty and swept in another.

Alex Iwobi’s wonder strike off the bench didn’t give Gunners even a hint of hope as Unai Emery’s side floundered in Baku.

Here are our Arsenal ratings …

ARSENAL (3-4-1-2)

Petr Cech – Wonderful save from Giroud in the first half was fitting stop on last outing, the lack of silverware sadly wasn’t. Faultless for goals 7

Sokratis – The best of a bad bunch in defence, made a few interventions but just didn’t have the physical tools to cope 6

Laurent Koscielny – Beaten by Giroud’s wonderful header but not tight enough. That he’s captain speaks for how average Arsenal are 5

Nacho Monreal – Makeshift centre-back putting in a makeshift performance, can hardly blame him for this poor show 5

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – One of the few fine sights for Arsenal was when the wing-back rampaged up right. Clueless foul for penalty 5

Lucas Torreira – Rottweiler that had a nip here or there but was more or less kept on a leash by Chelsea 6

Granit Xhaka – Unleashed a strike that made you cringe from wherever you’re seated. Didn’t impose himself elsewhere 5

Sead Kolasinac – Afforded lots of space, particularly in the first half, but made poor use of it. Defensively non-existent 4

Mesut Ozil – There were questions this week whether Arsenal had failed Ozil, or Ozil failed Arsenal. Distinctly the latter on Wednesday night 3

Alexandre Lacazette – His attempt to round Kepa was his best chance. Why didn’t he stay on his feet? Not at his best 5

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Snatched at an early chance with Kepa out of position, didn’t hear a peep out of him after 4

SUBS

Matteo Guendouzi (66′) – Did nothing to turn the tide as the blue wave washed over Arsenal 5

Alex Iwobi (67′) – There are super subs and then there are silly subs – Iwobi’s strike was ridiculously good 8

Joe Willock (77′) – The story was more about Ozil being replaced by a teenager in a European final. Showed a bit more fire than the German 6

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