Per for the Course

Morning folks, one of the main points of feedback I recieve about the blog is that people like the short, snappy tone to it, those people are in for a treat today, I've been suffering from man-flu and currently have no voice and a nose full of snot so not in the best frame of mind for an Opus on yesterday.

Speaking of man-flu, word reached me yesterday morning that Vermaelen had been ruled out with flu/virus. This meant a recall for Laurent Kosciekny but the general worry was how was Per Mertesacker dealt with the speed of Aguerö and Silva.

The MOM display from Per said it all, it may of been his defensive partner who crashed Arsenal level late on, but it was Mertesacker who brought the level of calm and great positional play to the team which meant we gained a valuable point, and another one to add to the "would of lost last year" column

We deserved at least a point, there were some scary moments where we could of thrown it all away but final word goes on Gervinho and I'd much rather see a player show out for everything and get it wrong rather than go missing.

Until Tomorrow

Mannone - 6.5 - Good saves but culpable on goal.

Jenkinson - 8.5 - G-Nev said it best, will run through a wall for you and probably cross it at the end

Mertesacker - 9 - Assured, calm, clever display that Kompany would be pleased with

Koscielny - 8.5 - A goal but also kept Aguerö quiet

Gibbs - 8 - Now becoming a normal performance for Gibbs, solid at the back, dangerous going forward

Arteta - 7.5 - Captain Miki dependable as ever

Diaby - 7 - Few brainfreezes as we expect but lots of running

Cazorla - 7.5 - dictated the game 1st 45, quieter 2nd half

Ramsey - 8 - A surprise selection but one justified. Looked sharp

Podolski - 6.5 - some lovely touches 1st half but didn't jump for Lescott's goal and faded second half

Gervinho - 6 - A game to forget but never went missing