A good start for Arsenal to the new season, saw us emerging 1-0 winners after a hard fought game at Newcastle. It wasn’t anything spectacular from Arsenal. At times, the game lacked quality, but Aubameyang’s top quality moment proved to be the difference between the 2 sides in the end. Newcastle threatened in patches, but our back 4 proved astute enough to ensure we leave St.James Park with a clean sheet. Let us take a look at how the players fared.
Bernd Leno – 7: Did not have much to do for a change. Kept things calm and his on the ball quality is an asset for us to play out from the back.
Maitland Niles – 7.5: Shaky at times at the back, but played a quality cross for Aubameyang for the goal that turned out to be the difference between the 2 sides. Good performance overall.
Calum Chambers – 8: Calm and composed, did not put a foot wrong. Played out from the back nicely. Nothing spectacular, but reliable whenever called upon. Needs to continue this next game.
Sokratis – 7: Sometimes uncomfortable while playing out, but he was solid whenever called upon to defend.
Monreal – 7: Decent game from Nacho. Wasn’t tested much, but provided composure in bringing the ball forward and made a couple of nice interceptions.
Xhaka – 7.5: Wasteful in posssession in the first half, but gradually grew into the game. Had a terrific second half, both defensively and playing some cracking passes.
Guendouzi – 7: Similar game to Xhaka, much better in the second half. A lively figure on the pitch, always ready to receive the ball and take that initiative to help our cause.
Willock – 7: A very mature performance in the first half. Showed the fans why he is rated so highly by Ljungberg and Emery. Dropped a bit physically in the second half and was then taken off.
Nelson – 6.5: Worked very hard for the team. Couldn’t create anything of real note, but an encouraging display overall. Looked really hungry to try and cement that left wing position.
Mkhitaryan – 5: Wasteful in possession and really did not offer much, apart from a top quality ball to play in Aubameyang in the first half.
Aubameyang – 9 (Man of the match): Constantly making runs and worked his socks off. His moment of real quality to produce the winning goal is the main reason we take the 3 points. World class center forward.
SUBSTITUTES:
Ceballos – 6.5 – Gave the ball away a couple of times, but helped us control the game a lot better. He’s a player who doesn’t give the ball away often, and can yet help us creatively. A Luka Modric type of player, looking forward to seeing him thrive at Arsenal.
Nicolas Pepe – N/A – Did not have much time to make an impact. Was trying to get a feel of the league. A nice flashy turn away from a couple Newcastle players, but nothing of real note.
Gabriel Martinelli – N/A – Big show of faith by Emery to bring Martinelli on. Looked lively and always showed for the ball. Like Reiss Nelson, looks really hungry to try and cement himself a place in the left wing position.
