Arsenal vs Newcastle player ratings: Last summer’s dream

7.4. Out of place early on, not helped on by a foolish yellow before the ten minute mark. Honestly though, after that he did the smart thing. He kept feeding Ceballos, who was buzzing. It may seem anticlimactic, but Xhaka recognized the situation and made the most of it.. CM. Arsenal. GRANIT XHAKA

Really ran the show, even when there wasn’t much of a show to run. Lovely, nifty footwork, which is always nice to see coming from a position that is so often devoid of such. Could see his creativity bursting out too, with creative balls and inviting runs. Again, that’s been sorely lacking from deeper in the midfield. Made a lot of great runs off the ball, instigating dangerous give-and-goes. In such a static attack, this is huge. However, being the only guy making those runs, it’s not always that effective. Great work tracking back and defending as well.. CM. Arsenal. DANI CEBALLOS. 8.3

8.5. Instigated a lot of decent attacking play. Linked up play well. Needs someone like Ceballos who is going to make runs from deep and provide that other depth of option and Ozil didn’t miss those moves. Nabbed four key passes in the first half alone. Again (and always), he wasn’t a dominant presence, but that’s just his way of playing the game, like it or not. Started to flow into the match as it opened up and was rewarded with his first goal of the season. It was a good, good match him.. CAM. Arsenal. MESUT OZIL