Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal Vs Portsmouth: Player ratings – Reiss Nelson has arrived

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (2R) celebrates scoring their second goal during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Portsmouth and Arsenal at Fratton Park stadium in Portsmouth, southern England, on March 2, 2020. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (2R) celebrates scoring their second goal during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Portsmouth and Arsenal at Fratton Park stadium in Portsmouth, southern England, on March 2, 2020. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Portsmouth FC and Arsenal FC at Fratton Park on March 02, 2020 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Portsmouth FC and Arsenal FC at Fratton Park on March 02, 2020 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /

Full-Backs

6.0. Definitely is not a right-back and struggles to defend in one-on-ones when there is space in behind for the attacker to drive into. Is also a problem in possession as he lacks the first touch to take the ball forwards, always looking to do the bare minimum whenever he receives possession — this makes him, and Arsenal more generally, very easy to press. That said, he did his job and scored the opener with a remarkably emphatic finish.. RB. Arsenal. SOKRATIS

LB. Arsenal. BUKAYO SAKA. 6.5. Not the scintillating performances of recent weeks and could probably do with a rest having played a lot of minutes at such a young age, but still shows what he is capable of here and there. Had three memorable drives forward in the match, two of which led to rasping efforts on goal. Was rarely troubled defensively and is tremendously calm in possession.