Arsenal Vs Reading: Complete Player Ratings

GK. Arsenal. MARTINEZ EMILIANO. 7.0. Quiet game for Emiliano Martinez. Enjoyed a nice, easy run-out but had very little to do. Made a good save late in the game, but was as much a spectator as a player. Difficult to grade him either way.

CARL JENKINSON. 7.3. Like the rest of the back four, Jenkinson had very little to do defensively. Got forward well, linking up with Oxlade-Chamberlain ahead of him dangerously and should have scored early on. Nice to see him back on the pitch and provides more than adequate depth.. RB. Arsenal

Excellent throughout. While Reading certainly lacked an offensive threat, Holding dominated any attack. Was comfortable in possession and looked far calmer than his partner, Gabriel, especially in the first half.. CB. Arsenal. ROB HOLDING. 8.0

6.8. Struggled a tad in the first half with his overly aggressive play and did get turned a few times. Was far better in the second half and still good on the ball, though the opponent must be factored in.. CB. Arsenal. GABRIEL PAULISTA

KIERAN GIBBS. 7.2. Was nice to see his longevity in North London merited with the captaincy. Threatened when pushing forward with his pace but again, had very little to do.. LB. Arsenal

7.5. Elneny was solid as ever. Very rarely lost the ball, marshalled play well and provided a little solidarity alongside what was a younger midfield compared to the weekend’s side. Great depth, but not much more.. CM. Arsenal. MOHAMED ELNENY

CM. Arsenal. AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES. 7.7. Playing in a central role rather than at full-back – a position that Wenger says he is more comfortable in. Proved it on Tuesday. Won the ball back on numerous occasions and flashed great intelligence with his passing. Good performance.

Arsenal. ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN. 8.5. MAN OF THE MATCH. Beginning to understand his skills. Far more direct with the ball at his feet, has clearly improved his end product and is now establishing himself as a key member of the side. Pace and power personified.. RM

6.7. Quiet on the night. Was unable to isolate himself one-on-one with the opposing full-back but did flash excellent balance and silky movement at times. Clearly talented, but didn’t live up to it here.. LM. Arsenal. JEFF REINE-ADELAIDE

ALEX IWOBI. 7.9. Playing in a central role and enjoyed the greater freedom. Was repeatedly able to exploit the space between the lines and was, alongside Chamberlain, looking like the most likely to break the deadlock.. CM. Arsenal

ST. Arsenal. LUCAS PEREZ. 6.5. Struggled to hold up play, was suffocated for much of the game and hesitated when played through by Reine-Adelaide seeing his shot blocked. Worked very hard, though.

7.6. Showed exactly what his game is. Lacked athleticism but displayed excellent hold-up ability. Set up Oxlade-Chamberlain for what should have been a goal and then again for his second.. SUB. Arsenal. OLIVIER GIROUD

Tidy in possession but never saw much of the ball to make things happen. The game was petering out by the time he settled in but still has a promising future ahead of him.. SUB. Arsenal. CHRIS WILLOCK. 7.4

6.9. Gave the ball away few times. but came on in the 80th minute with the game all but over. Again, still has a very encouraging future ahead of him.. SUB. Arsenal. GEDION ZELALEM