Rapid Vienna 1-2 Arsenal Player Ratings: Comeback Win Capped Off by Thomas Partey Debut

Arsenal came from behind to beat Rapid Vienna 2-1 on Thursday night in the opening round of their Europa League group stage campaign.

Mikel Arteta opted to field a strong side – some positions he had little choice on – for the game in Vienna, handing a first start in an Arsenal shirt for Thomas Partey.

A first half that lacked zip and incision went by with the home side having more joy in front of goal, with Arsenal’s forward players failing to make any impact on proceedings. Eddie Nketiah and Nicolas Pepe struggled with their one-on-one duels, the latter left unattended for most of the opening 45.

Bernd Leno’s efforts to play out from the back failed miserably early after the restart, with Taxiarchis Fountas pouncing on his mistake to hand the home side the lead. Substitutions flipped the game on its head, with David Luiz heading in from a cross and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wrapping up the win four minutes later.

Your player ratings are here, but you can probably ignore the formation, in truth.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) – 3/10 – Made some decent stops to deny the Vienna, particularly in the first half. Was exempt from dealing with much in terms of crosses with the hosts preferring to keep the ball on the ground in advanced areas….but then he did that, and then did another thing, and then another thing.

Cedric Soares (RB) – 5/10 – Needed to provide Pepe with more assistance down the right side but was too cautious in his approach. More of a tactical thing than anything, which was seen to in the second period. Will never be more than a backup player but he’s just about good enough as one.

David Luiz (CB) – 6/10 – Had good and bad moments. Struggled with the towering Rapid striker and the link up that came off him. If anything, it’s him who needs Gabriel for added security. Did score, however, so gets a bump up on the scoring.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) – 9/10 – STOP BEING SO DAMN GOOD AND MAKING EVERYONE ELSE LOOK BAD. Seriously though, Gabriel is just wonderful. Edu previously mentioned about sounding out physically strong players, and he’s just that. Even his distribution over the top was spot on.

Sead Kolasinac (LB) – 5/10 – Had little joy down the left flank against an organised and well-drilled Rapid Vienna side, with Saka and Nketiah were occupying those spaces in forward areas. Had Partey to thank for covering him on a few occasions and was somewhat haphazard towards the end.

Midfielders 

Mohamed Elneny (RCM) – 6/10 – Wasn’t positive enough on the ball but it isn’t all his fault. Arsenal were devoid of someone in the hole with all the play coming down the wings, thus Elneny’s options were limited. When there were players to find, he found them, a la Bellerin.

Thomas Partey (CM) – 9/10 – You can tell when a player is world class instantly. Thomas Partey is world class. He has a football intellect that you can’t teach. £45m an absolute steal. All facets of his game were excellent throughout the the 90 minutes. The idea of him now not being in our side every week is scary.

Bukayo Saka (LCM) – 8/10 – If Arsenal were going to do anything on Thursday evening, you could be fairly sure that Saka would have some say in it. It’s getting to the point where we’re running out of superlatives. Inventive on the ball and positive at all times.

Forwards

Nicolas Pepe (RW) – 5/10 – Didn’t do enough on the ball. Crosses and corners were poor, never beating the first man (apart from the goal) and when he had chance to run at defenders the Ivorian either lost possession or ran into areas of little danger. Not a great evening, although he was starved of companionship in the first half.

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – 5/10 – Was the supposed to be a No. 10 or lead the line? The times he opted to come short were misjudged. Link up with Aubameyang offered more options in the second half. Did win a fair few fouls, so, there’s that.

Eddie Nketiah (LW) – 4/10 – All his best work came off the ball when he tracked back to cover. It wasn’t a great night for Nketiah who isn’t suited to playing out wide. Had chances to come infield but failed to take advantage of the rare moments he had possession.

Substitutes

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1319345458737795074

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 8/10 – Excellent since coming on. Was happy to drop deep when needed, occupy the centre-halves or come wide to link up with Saka. Changed the game.

Hector Bellerin – 7/10 – Did what Cedric didn’t do for 65 minutes and make runs beyond the back line. What he offers Arsenal in an attacking sense is massively improved under Arteta.

Joe Willock – N/A – Not on long enough to earn a rating.

Kieran Tierney – N/A – Likewise for our plastic bag hero.

Reiss Nelson – N/A – Wound down those 30 seconds brilliantly.