Gunning For Success

: Andreas Cornelius, 8.8

After their disappointing draw at home to Crystal Palace in their previous league game, Arsenal made the journey to Wales, where they would face Cardiff City in the capital. Andreas Cornelius opened the scoring when Kim Bo-Kyung played a ball into the penalty area for the Dane. Cornelius controlled before blasting it at the Arsenal keeper, whose attempt at stopping the goal was in vain. Four minutes later, Arsenal were level when Diego Costa's shot was parried into the path of promising winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who easily finished past the floored goalkeeper. Arsenal took the lead before half time, when German midfielder Mesut Özil got on the end of Costa's through ball, and slotted past the keeper to make it 1-2.

Just five minutes after half time, Arsenal extended their lead, when Theo Walcott whipped in a corner. French defender Laurent Koscielny headed it past David Marshall, and appeared to have sealed the game for the Gunners. But it was not to be, when goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny was slow off the blocks following a clearance from the Cardiff defence. Cornelius reacted quickly to narrow the lead. Arsenal were left gutted late into injury time when Kim Bo-Kyung's corner found the head of Mark Hudson, to equalize. Arsenal will be feeling angry with themselves after slipping up, but their unbeaten run goes on. Attendance: 26,010.

: Olivier Giroud, 8.1

Arsenal have given some good performances against some of the top teams so far this season, away draws against the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham, and a home win against Manchester City. They came up against Liverpool at home, with whom Jens Lehmann was linked with a coaching job before he was offered the managerial post at Arsenal. Arsène Wenger was not in charge of Arsenal for this match, as he didn't join until the 21st of December. There were no goals in the first half, but just six minutes into the second half, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave Arsenal the lead when substitute Olivier Giroud squared the ball to the winger inside the area, and the 20 year old tapped it in to give his team the lead. With time running out, Daniel Sturridge equalized after Iago Aspas played a through ball towards the English striker. Sturridge took it just outside the area and curled it past the keeper to tie up the game, which looked over by now. But into injury time, Arsenal won the game, when Giroud flicked a ball onto Mexican winger Carlos Vela, who volleyed it first time into the net from just inside the area.
Attendance: 60,338.

: Bryan Ruiz, 8.0

On the back of their win against Liverpool, Arsenal visited local rivals Fulham. Fulham scored the opener through Alexander Kačaniklić. The young Swedish player stuck his neck out to head in Bryan Ruiz' cross. Arsenal equalized when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain began a sprint down the right flank, and crossed towards captain Jack Wilshere, who turned it in. There was only one goal after half time, with it going in favour of the visitors. Mesut Özil whipped a corner into Per Mertesacker who nodded the ball past the keeper to earn three points for his side. Attendance: 25,700.

: Mathieu Flamini, 8.6

With a win in their last away outing, Arsenal headed to St James' Park to face Newcastle. No goals came in the first half but it was clear that Newcastle were playing the better football, and Arsenal were struggling. To add to their discomfort, Kieran Gibbs was sent off for two yellow card offences within the space of a minute straight after the half time break. Arsenal contained the Newcastle attacks, right up until the 92nd minute, when they finally broke. Charles Aránguiz played a through ball to winger, Wilfried Zaha, on loan from Manchester United, and the Englishman buried Arsenal, ending their unbeaten streak. Attendance: 47,232.

: Antonio Luna, 8.0

In a game of missed opportunities for Arsenal, they hosted Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. They dominated the possession, and had a string of chances, but they just could not finish and the match finished 0-0. They could count themselves lucky that Villa did not capitalize on the missed chances. Attendance: 60,165.

: Thomas Vermaelen, 8.2

Arsenal really needed to step up to get their chances of winning the title back on track after picking up just one point from their last two games. They came up against an in form Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, but with Lehmann's warning about a slip up to their star striker Robin Van Persie, would the Dutchman crack?

Arsenal got off to a great start when Jack Wilshere floated a corner into the box. Aaron Ramsey's shot was blocked, but the defender knocked it straight into the path of Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen who buried the ball into the net. After half time, substitute Mikel Arteta doubled the lead with a confident penalty following a push from Ashley Young on Laurent Koscielny. Nani gave United fans some hope with just over ten minutes to go, when his 42 yard free kick somehow found it's way into the back of the net, with the Arsenal keeper just watching the ball as it bounced in front of him. Diego Costa wrapped the game up with under five minutes to go, however, when Carlos Vela led a break following a United corner. The Mexican crossed the ball into Costa, who simply tapped it in to round off the scoring. A great win for Arsenal, and they could be back on track for a title challenge now. Robin Van Persie had a very quiet game - could Lehmann's words have taken affected him? Attendance: 60,338.

: Laurent Koscielny, 7.5

In a match much like the one against Aston Villa earlier in the month, Arsenal were held to a draw away to Hull City. Again dominating the play, and creating a huge amount of chances, it once again came down to not being able to finish, and Hull were extremely lucky that they couldn't take their chances. Attendance: 22,660.

: Mesut Özil, 9.0

Arsenal's final game in Group B saw them play against the only team who had beaten them - Steaua. This time, the Gunners were at home, however, and took advantage of that after just twenty seconds when Diego Costa latched on to Mesut Özil's cross, and slotted the ball past the keeper. Arsenal's second goal came when Özil crossed a free kick into the area, finding Laurent Koscielny at the far post, and the Frenchman tapped it in with ease, with the keeper not spotting his run.

After half time, Diego Costa grabbed his second following a through ball from Theo Walcott which played him into the area. The Spaniard controlled and then punted the ball into the bottom corner, a great goal. Steaua pulled one back straight from the kick off, when Mathieu Flamini fouled Alexandru Chipciu in the penalty area. Cristian Tănase converted the penalty. Chipciu gave Arsenal something to worry about when he added a second to Steaua's tally. Following a great ball from Stanciu, Chipciu controlled well before knocking the ball past the goalkeeper. However, Arsenal sealed the win when Özil's corner was cleared to Theo Walcott, who blasted the ball into the top corner. Elsewhere in Group B, Galatasary beat Schalke in Turkey by a scoreline of 1-0. Attendance: 59,897.