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Laurent Koscielny claims that current Arsenal side are 'capable of great things'

Recent results have seen Arsenal beat Bayern Munich and move level on points at the top of the Premier League

Tuesday 27 October 2015 09:17 GMT

Laurent Koscielny (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal are capable of achieving great things this season, defender Laurent Koscielny has said, adding that the squad is reaping the benefits of manager Arsene Wenger's rotation policy.

The Gunners are on a fine run, having won their last four Premier League games, which has seen them rise to second in the table after 10 games, behind leaders Manchester City on goal difference.

Koscielny, who scored his first goal of the season in Saturday's 2-1 win over Everton, has been part of the defence that has just conceded eight league goals so far, the joint-lowest in the league.

"I don't know if this is the best Arsenal team I have ever played for but collectively you can tell that we are capable to do great things together," Koscielny told the club's website.

"We need to keep that team spirit and this desire and motivation. Let's keep it this way until the end of the season.

"We know each other's qualities and we know the philosophy of the team. A season is long. So we appreciate having everybody ready to come in. We benefit from the coach's rotation," the 30-year-old Frenchman added.

PL team of the week 25-29Oct.mp4

Wenger has confirmed goalkeeper Petr Cech will be involved in Tuesday's League Cup clash with Sheffield Wednesday, after David Ospina was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Wenger is known to use the League Cup as a platform to give youngsters in the squad a taste of first-team action, however, he has opted against handing 21-year-old Matt Macey his first appearance for the senior team.

"Ospina is still out too, so Cech will certainly play," Wenger said.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

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1/22Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Petr Cech - 6 out of 10

Unsurprisingly the driving rain of north London made this a tough match for the goalkeeper, who lost control of the ball on one occasion. Once the rain stopped normal service was resumed as he commanded his penalty area and looked confident on crosses.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Hector Bellerin - 6 out of 10

Did not bomb forward with the same regularity as he often does, perhaps because he was conscious of the pace of Lennon on the counter. The winger gave Bellerin little to worry about and once more there was plenty of defensive maturity from the 20-year-old.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Gabriel - 6 out of 10

The centre-half was desperately unlucky to see Barkley’s effort deflect off him and past Cech, but otherwise this was a perfectly adequate display from Per Mertesacker’s replacement. He competed well on the rare occasions he had to, but was not often called into action.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Laurent Koscielny - 7 out of 10

Took the lead in dealing with Arsenal’s one-time scourge Romelu Lukaku and did so with notable ease. Capped another excellent display with a well-deserved goal that gave Arsenal a crucial cushion.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Nacho Monreal - 6 out of 10

Dealt confidently with the not inconsiderable threat posed by Gerard Deulofeu, setting the tone early on with tight marking and firm but fair tackling. However he got too confident as the game wore on and Deulofeu exploited his eagerness to get forward.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Francis Coquelin - 6 out of 10

His more physical skills were not always needed in a game in which Arsenal were invariably in the ascendancy. But he still has a very useful passing range , which he showed on many occasions operating from the base of Arsenal’s midfield.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Santi Cazorla - 7 out of 10

A sumptuous delivery for Koscielny’s goal was typical of the Spanish playmaker’s game. After a few insipid games he was at his creative best, pulling the strings from deep and keeping composed and calm as colleagues such as Oxlade-Chamberlain rushed to force chances.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5 out of 10

Perhaps the biggest difference between Oxlade-Chamberlain and his senior colleagues is his decision-making, and it showed today. When he should have passed he too often took the direct route, but only ever ran into traffic.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Mesut Ozil - 8 out of 10

Wenger may be right; this could be the “golden age” of Ozil. Once more the star man lived up to his billing, creating chances at will and providing an outstanding delivery for Giroud’s opener.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Alexis Sanchez - 6 out of 10

The Premier League’s Duracell bunny was running on empty for much of this game. The attitude and endeavour was still there, but he seemed too tired to dictate the outcome of the game. Arsenal will benefit greatly from the week’s rest he will enjoy.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Olivier Giroud - 8 out of 10

He loves playing against Everton, and it showed with a fifth goal in his last five against the visitors. Of course he brought physicality to attack but, after some low moments in recent months, more important was the confidence he played with. He was a bullying presence that Phil Jagielka and John Stones often struggled to deal with.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Tim Howard - 5 out of 10

Could have claimed the ball before Koscielny nodded home and his punching left a lot to be desired.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Seamus Coleman - 5 out of 10

Failed to counter-balance Galloway's defensive on the left with attacking forays of his own down the right.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

John Stones - 6 out of 10

The type of competent display we've come to expect from the England international but

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Phil Jagielka - 6 out of 10

Could've been closer to Giroud for the first goal. Forced off in the second half through injury. Ruben Funes Mori

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Brendan Galloway – 6 out of 10

Another decent display from the youngster, if only in relation to the team's poor showing.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Gareth Barry - 3 out of 10

Off the pace throughout, his performance made worse by a late needless dismissal.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

James McCarthy – 4 out of 10

Typically ineffective and untypically anxious in possession. One of his poorer showings in recent memory.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Aaron Lennon – 5 out of 10

Poor. Did little, if nothing, to justify selection over Kevin Mirallas.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Ross Barkley – 7 out of 10

His goal provided a single spark in Everton’s dim performance.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Gerard Deulofeu – 6 out of 10

Noticeably improved in the second half, could have done better with a late chance to equalise.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Romelu Lukaku – 5 out of 10

A largely anonymous presence until his header was cleared off the bar late on but could legitmately argue that he lacked support.

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Winger Joel Campbell has struggled to break into the first team this season and Wenger hopes the Costa Rica international will prove he has the quality to play for the Gunners on a regular basis.

"I like Joel Campbell very much for two reasons. One is that he has outstanding individual quality, but he is also a team player. He works very hard for the team," Wenger said.

"I'm convinced he will get a chance here and that he will take it. He has another opportunity against Sheffield Wednesday and I'm hopeful that he will show that he has the quality to play for Arsenal.

"When you get the chance, you have to be ready. To be ready, you have to prepare," the club's longest serving manager added.

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