Arsenal Vs Olympiakos: Player ratings - A battling victory

[caption id="attachment_99058" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after he scores the opening goal of the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg football match between Olympiakos and Arsenal at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, near Athens, on February 20, 2020. (Photo by LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP) (Photo by LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP via Getty Images)[/caption]rn Arsenal travelled to Olympiakos on Thursday night to open their Europa League knockout stages. Here are the player ratings from the 1-0 win. rnAlexandre Lacazette rescued Arsenal with a close-range tap-in in the 80th minute, but the Gunners had to battle their way to a precious first-leg lead against Olympiakos on Thursday night. The Europa League Round of 32 tie was never going to be easy, but with Mikel Arteta making some curious selections and his players executing poorly on the pitch, this was much more of a fight than first expected.rn Listen to the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast here! &#x2014; A Winning Feeling rnHere are the player ratings from the 1-0 win .rnrn[caption id="attachment_99059" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Arsenal's German goalkeeper Bernd Leno (R) punches the ball clear during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg football match between Olympiakos and Arsenal at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, near Athens, on February 20, 2020. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)[/caption]rn Goalkeeper rn[grade grade="7.5" photo="https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/player_featured_image_1045x658/public/images/Leno_1045x658.jpg?itok=sdPMY-iR" firstname="Bernd" lastname="Leno" position="GK" team="Arsenal"]MAN OF THE MATCH: It is never the most encouraging sign when your goalkeeper is named Man of the Match, but while Arsenal did not concede many chances in this game, what Bernd Leno had to do, he did superbly. He kept his team in the game with several excellent saves in the opening stages, including one low down from a far-post volley. From that moment on, Leno commanded the game brilliantly. He punched clear crosses and corners, his passing was excellent, he communicated well with his defence, he commanded the team.rnrn[/grade]rnrn[nextslide teaser="Centre-Backs" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_99050" align="aligncenter" width="590"] PIRAEUS, GREECE - FEBRUARY 20: David Luiz of Arsenal takes on Giorgos Masouras of Olympiacos FC during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg match between Olympiacos FC and Arsenal FC at Karaiskakis Stadium on February 20, 2020 in Piraeus, Greece. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Centre-Backs rn[grade grade="6.0" photo="https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/player_featured_image_1045x658/public/images/DL_Website_profiles_1045x658_v2.jpg?itok=qvVlzxz8" firstname="David" lastname="Luiz" position="CB" team="Arsenal"]Struggled in the opening 20 minutes as Olympiakos jumped out of the blocks, but calmed down the defence throughout the remainder of the match and controlled the game throughout. His passing was a little slow and ponderous at times, which is surprising given his usual qualities of distribution. Defended stoutly in the second half and was rarely dragged out of position.rnrn[/grade]rnrn[grade grade="7.0" photo="https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/player_featured_image_1045x658/public/images/Mustafi_1045x658_0.jpg?itok=iL6Zhdhm" firstname="Shkodran" lastname="Mustafi" position="CB" team="Arsenal"]Mustafi might be enjoying his best run of form in an Arsenal shirt. He has cut out the silly mistakes, is calm and composed positionally, defended crosses superbly, protected Sokratis on the right side, and was always connected with his partner, David Luiz. Quite for how long Mustafi can maintain this form remains to be seen, but he was very solid once again here.rnrn[/grade]rnrn[nextslide teaser="Full-Backs" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_99051" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka (L) vies with Olympiakos' Norwegian defender Omar Elabdellaoui (R) during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg football match between Olympiakos and Arsenal at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, near Athens, on February 20, 2020. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)[/caption]rn Full-Backs rn[grade grade="4.0" photo="https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/player_featured_image_1045x658/public/images/Sokratis_1045x658_0.jpg?itok=97aQxOIY" firstname="Sokratis" position="RB" team="Arsenal"]Quite obviously is not a right-back. His passing is very limited, and he was often used as a pressing trigger by Olympiakos, closing down the Arsenal players quickly whenever the ball was played to Sokratis. He struggled to deal with Mathieu Valbuena in the early going and never looked comfortable when defending space. Was hung out to dry by his manager.rnrn[/grade]rnrn[grade grade="6.5" photo="https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/player_featured_image_1045x658/public/images/Saka_1045x658.jpg?itok=XtzAEUrg" firstname="Bukayo" lastname="Saka" position="LB" team="Arsenal"]Battled really hard throughout the match. Hung on defensively at times, especially when defending far-post crosses from the opposite flank. Offensively, he was not as threatening as at the weekend, but he drove forward with purpose and pace on occasion and provided the crucial piece of quality to tee up Lacazette for the lone away goal. The cross was superb, splitting the defence and goalkeeper, allowing Lacazette to sneak into the six-yard box and tap into an open goal.rnrn[/grade]rnrn[nextslide teaser="Central%20Midfield" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_99052" align="aligncenter" width="590"] PIRAEUS, GREECE - FEBRUARY 20: Mattéo Guendouzi of Arsenal FC and Kostas Tsimikas of Olympiacos FC during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg match between Olympiacos FC and Arsenal FC at Karaiskakis Stadium on February 20, 2020 in Piraeus, Greece. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Central Midfield rn[grade grade="5.5" photo="https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/player_featured_image_1045x658/public/images/Xhaka_1045x658_0.jpg?itok=4RdnaWrD" firstname="Granit" lastname="Xhaka" position="CM" team="Arsenal"]Played a more orthodox midfield role on this occasion, not moving out into a left-back space as frequently as before under Mikel Arteta. He was not nearly as effective. Rarely played the ball forwards, although the options available to him were not plentiful, played several hospital passes, especially during a ropey 20-minute spell following half-time, and did not find his range in distribution to progress the play into advanced areas. Xhaka was not the problem, admittedly, but he was not exactly the solution either.rnrn[/grade]rnrn[grade grade="6.5" photo="https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/player_featured_image_1045x658/public/images/Guendouzi_1045x658_0.jpg?itok=luRYFlKj" firstname="Matteo" lastname="Guendouzi" position="CM" team="Arsenal"]This was not the normal Matteo Guendouzi game. Usually, the rhythmic elements of central midfield play are missing but he provides inspirational moments. On this occasion, his vision and creativity were poor, forever passing backwards and sideways, but the control he provided was critical. He was often the one who played Arsenal out from deep positions, he conducted play neatly, and battled bravely. Not special, no, but solid.rnrn[/grade]rnrn[grade grade="4.0" photo="https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/player_featured_image_1045x658/public/images/Willock_1045x658_0.jpg?itok=7R25yfpS" firstname="Joe" lastname="Willock" position="CM" team="Arsenal"]The Gunners' two best chances in the first half came from Joe Willock-inspired moments. When he plays freely, spinning past defenders and surging into vacant spaces, he is a real threat. But his all-around play is still extremely raw. His passing is inaccurate, his touch is poor, especially in close spaces, and he does not offer the Arsenal defenders options to progress play. When playing as the number 10, you are the heartbeat of the team, and Willock is simply not smooth enough on the ball to be so.rnrn[/grade]rnrn[nextslide teaser="Front%20Three" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_99053" align="aligncenter" width="590"] PIRAEUS, GREECE - FEBRUARY 20: Ousseynou Ba of Olympiacos FC battles for possession with Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg match between Olympiacos FC and Arsenal FC at Karaiskakis Stadium on February 20, 2020 in Piraeus, Greece. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Front Three rn[grade grade="5.0" photo="https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/player_featured_image_1045x658/public/images/Aubameyang_1045x658.jpg?itok=D5w_ewVj" firstname="Pierre-Emerick" lastname="Aubameyang" position="RW" team="Arsenal"]I am purely rating Aubameyang on the performance he produced. There is obviously more nuance to this discussion considering he is playing in a position that he is not suited to and does not want to play in. Nevertheless, this was a torrid display. Poor first touch, rarely been a defender when dribbling, offered no movement off the ball for his teammates to play forward, and was not the most willing to work defensively. Looked immensely more comfortable when switched to the left, including playing a key role in the move for the goal, which only adds to the nuance, but his attitude and application were disappointing, especially as captain.rnrn[/grade]rnrn[grade grade="6.5" photo="https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/player_featured_image_1045x658/public/images/Martinelli_1045x658.jpg?itok=vb61jRmB" firstname="Gabriel" lastname="Martinelli" position="LW" team="Arsenal"]Struggled to get into the game. Had a few lovely turns and touches here and there, but was not fed frequently enough by those deeper to truly impact the game. Withdrawn before the hour-mark for Dani Ceballos.rnrn[/grade]rnrn[grade grade="5.5" photo="https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/player_featured_image_1045x658/public/images/Lacazette_1045x658_0.jpg?itok=WucaQRNh" firstname="Alexandre" lastname="Lacazette" position="ST" team="Arsenal"]If you were hoping that Lacazette's fortunate goal to break his two-month drought on Sunday would inspire an improvement in form, like myself, you would have been gravely mistaken. This was Lacazette at his very worst. He missed several decent opportunities and his hold-up play was atrocious for much of the match. He may have scored the winner, showing good instincts and movement in the process, but his overall performance was poor.rnrn[/grade]rnrn[nextslide teaser="Substitutes" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_99061" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos is fouled by Olympiakos' Brazilian midfielder Guilherme (R) during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg football match between Olympiakos and Arsenal at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, near Athens, on February 20, 2020. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)[/caption]rn Substitutes rn[grade grade="6.5" photo="https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/player_featured_image_1045x658/public/images/Ceballos_1045x658.jpg?itok=P2n_Yy1a" firstname="Dani" lastname="Ceballos" position="SUB" team="Arsenal"]Poor quality on the ball with some wayward passes and loose touches, but he worked wonderfully hard. Instigated many high presses in the first ten minutes he was on the pitch, then battled later in the game as his team protected the lead.rnrn[/grade]rnrn[grade grade="6.0" photo="https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/player_featured_image_1045x658/public/images/Pepe_profile_1045x658.jpg?itok=M5x_CZ9Y" firstname="Nicolas" lastname="Pepe" position="SUB" team="Arsenal"]A couple of nice moments here and there, but did not provide much. That said, the balance his introduction created was noticeable, something that Mikel Arteta should take note of.rnrn[/grade]rnrn There is no rating for Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Pain in the Arsenal

Arsenal Vs Olympiakos: Player ratings – A battling victory

Centre-Backs

DAVID LUIZ

6.0

SHKODRAN MUSTAFI

7.0

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