Arsenal beat FC Basel 4-1 to go through a Champions League group stage unbeaten for the first time since they went all the way to the final in 2006 – and Ludogorets’ draw with Paris St-Germain ensured the Gunners topped Group A. Here’s how we rated Arsene Wenger’s men at St. Jakob Park.
David Ospina: 8
Once again selected ahead of Petr Cech for a European game and generally impressed, making a couple of excellent saves in the first half. For the ninth time in 12 Champions League games, though, he failed to keep a clean sheet.
Gabriel: 7
Solid in the air and was alert during Basel’s spells of pressure, making several timely challenges and interceptions.
Rob Holding: 7
This time last year, Holding was an unused substitute for Bolton against Cardiff in the Championship. He has now broken onto Europe’s biggest stage, and while his Champions League debut was occasionally patchy – notably losing out to Seydou Doumbia for Basel’s goal – he underscored the potential Arsenal have spotted in him.
Laurent Koscielny: 6
A mixed display from the Frenchman, who was busy with tackles and clearances at times but also switched off at crucial moments.
Kieran Gibbs: 9
Ran riot down the left-hand side, particularly in the first half and had a hand in all three of Lucas Perez’s goals. His adventurous nature did allow Basel to get in behind him at times but he had already inflicted too much damage for that to matter.
Granit Xhaka: 8
Saw more of the ball than any other player on the pitch – he had 43 more touches of the ball than his brother Taulant – and got the upper hand in that particular sibling rivalry. Also did his job defensively.
Aaron Ramsey: 6
A quiet 70 minutes for a player who has received some flak from Arsenal fans for a lack of imagination in possession. Although he improved after the break, it is hard to argue with that assessment based on this display. Replaced by Mohamed Elneny.
Alex Iwobi: 7
His lung-busting run from inside his own half, and clever movement away from a defender once in the box, was rewarded when he tapped in Mesut Ozil’s lay-off to make it 4-0.
Mesut Ozil: 9
His ingenuity opened up the Basel defence time and again. He was involved in the build-up to the second goal and laid on the fourth for Iwobi with a clever pass. Given a rest on 74 minutes, with Theo Walcott replacing him.
Lucas Perez: 9
On hand to convert the first two goals from inside the six-yard box, but he was not just a poacher – he struck a crisp shot through Basel keeper Tomas Vaclik from 15 yards to complete a well-deserved hat-trick. The way he drifted in from the right made him a second striker for much of the game.
Alexis Sanchez: 9
Helped created the first and fourth goals with beautifully weighted passes and some of his interplay with Ozil was a joy to watch. Could have had the goal his excellent display deserved had his free-kick dipped a little lower, rather than striking the bar. Replaced by Olivier Giroud on 70 minutes.