Charlton Athletic v Arsenal - Player Ratings

Last updated : 01 October 2006 By Clive Dickman

In a game we should have had long sewn up saw us hanging on in the end & only a glaring miss from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink saved us from sharing the points. For once lady luck was on our side.

Lehmann - 6 - a mixed day for Jens, flapped at a cross, spilled a shot & a fine reaction save to deny Andy Reid.

Eboue - 6 - Another run & cross that set up a goal.

Toure - 6 - Not one of his better days. Let an early Charlton cross go over his head that left Hasselbaink with an easy chance that thankfully he fluffed.

Gallas - 7 - Growing from game to game & looks every bit the perfect Arsenal player with a lovely touch on the ball. Also came in "handy" in the second half when intercepting an over head kick from Lisbie!

Hoyte - 5 - Looked shaky today & the weak link in the back four. Caught out for Charlton's goal.

Hleb - 8 - Excellent all round performance. Sprayed the ball around well, worked hard & set up Van Persie's opening strike. (Djourou 90)

Fabregas - 6 - Dogged, skillful performance as per normal but caught in possession for Charlton's goal & missed an easy chance with his head.

Silva - 6 - Quiet but efficient game, building a good understanding with Fabregas.

Ljungberg - 6 - Came in for close attention by a number of Charlton hatchet men, did well to keep his head & stay on the pitch in one piece. Lacking pace these days.

Henry - 8 - He said we wouldn't see the best of him until October, he lied, as on the last day in September he turned in a vintage Henry performance, all that was missing was a goal, had a hand in the build up to Van Persie's first goal.

Van Persie - 9 - Started the game with a wild effort that was obviously getting him in tune for what was about to come & thankfully stayed on the pitch after lashing out at Hasselbaink. Good work from Henry & Helb set Robin up to coolly slot home our equaliser. Then four minutes into the second half came a goal that will be long remembered, a good run & speculative cross from Eboue was met on the edge of the box at shoulder height by Van Persies left foot with the ball rocketing into the top corner of the Charlton goal. Best described by Wenger as "a goal of a lifetime". He should have scored a well deserved hatrick but side footed wide his easiest chance of the game. (Rosicky 77)

Rosicky - 5- Little time to shine.

Djourou didn't break sweat!

Subs not used Alumunia, Baptista, Adebayor.