Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Manchester United: Player ratings – Mikel Arteta changes everything

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

On New Years Day, Arsenal hosted Manchester United looking for their first win under Mikel Arteta. Here are the player ratings from the 2-0 victory.

Well, I think it is fair to say that Mikel Arteta knows how to coach a football team. The Arsenal head coach earned his first victory at the club as he saw his team dismantle a Manchester United side that were beginning to look in fine fettle. Nicolas Pepe opened the scoring early on after some excellent Sead Kolasinac work down the left flank, before Sokratis doubled the advantage. The Gunners then saw out the second half in a shockingly collective, cohesive and well-coached performance.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — After Everton, good luck Mikel Arteta

Here are the player ratings from the brilliant 2-0 victory.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Harry Maguire of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Harry Maguire of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper

7.0. A nice bounceback display from Leno. Made the saves he had to, including an excellent one late on from Marcus Rashford, and did not make the blunder like against Chelsea. He also commanded his area well, authoritatively punching clear on several occasions. One slight issue is his kicking. Arteta is demanding Leno to play more difficult passes. He is able to, but it is inconsistent. He must be more accurate time and time again if Arsenal are to successfully play out from the back.. GK. Arsenal. BERND LENO