Arsenal 2-0 Marseille: Champions League Player Ratings

by Jamie Clark

Arsenal closed in on qualification for a 14th successive progression from the Champions League group stages as Jack Wilshere's double helped the Gunners to outclass a mediocre Marseille outfit.

England midfielder Wilshere struck early €“ with less than 30 seconds played €“ and again midway through the second as Arsene Wenger saw his side cruise to victory. Hosts Arsenal could even afford to see a tame Mesut Ozil penalty saved by Marseille and France understudy keeper Steve Mandanda after 35 minutes. Mikel Arteta, Santi Cazorla and an under the weather Kieran Gibbs made way from the Gunners XI that started their Premier League victory over Southampton on Saturday. Wenger gave starts to Mathieu Flamini, Nacho Monreal and Tomas Rosicky. Their opponents meanwhile €“ knowing they could not qualify and just had pride to play €“ gave several fringe players an opportunity to impress. Needless to the say they did not, but we do not want to telegraph our player ratings. A draw in the final group stage game with Rafa Benitez's Napoli will be enough to see the Gunners through to the last 16. They may even get there with a narrow defeat depending on how Borussia Dortmund fair against Marseille. So who impressed us on the WhatCulture sports team? Click next for player ratings starting with Arsenal.
Contributor
Contributor

Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.