Arsenal 0-1 Leicester Player Ratings: Not Good Enough

Arsenal fell to a miserable defeat against Leicester on Sunday’s Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal took on the Foxes at the Emirates Stadium for the first time in three weeks having faced both Manchester City and Rapid Vienna away in their last two fixtures.

A first half that was both exciting and fluid produced no less than 11 shots, one of which found its way into the back of the net only for Granit Xhaka to have (harshly) been judged to have been stood in an offside position.

Nonetheless, there was far more attacking intent from Arsenal. So, same after the break? No.

A flat, unimaginative and bland display produced absolutely nothing. Hector Bellerin had an effort saved, but that was it. Naturally, the sucker punch would come, and obviously, it came from Jamie Vardy.

Not good. At all.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) – 6/10 – Didn’t have anything to do, really. Had a nervy moment in the opening minutes where he gave James Maddison the chance to shoot, but got away with it.

Hector Bellerin (RB) – 6/10 – Should have been sent off, shouldn’t he? Very lucky indeed but had a decent enough display otherwise. Came inside to try and bolster the midfield number with Leicester keen to overload that area. Most of the play came down the left so his impact was lessened.

David Luiz (CB) – 7/10 – Some of his deliveries were absolutely sublime at times. Sure, he was given the freedom of north London to make them, but had a good 50 minutes before injury forced him off.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) – 8/10 – Had one nervy moment, but that was it. Took in the mantle of key distributor after Luiz went off and did so well. Produced a few great balls over the top, particularly in the first half, and continues to assert himself as one of the best signings of recent seasons. A colossus.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 7/10 – So nice to see him flourish in this system, one that suits his skill set the best. A few wicked deliveries that weren’t made the most of, but he was one of our better players on the night with some great overlaps and underlaps, but less influential after the break.

Midfielders

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1320431082655916033

Thomas Partey (CM) – 6/10 – Has slotted into this midfield effortlessly. Provided an air of confidence that permeates throughout the rest of the team. Wasn’t quite the Rapid Vienna performance and his second half display wasn’t quite as sharp, but he was used in an area that saw little action.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 5/10 – Some lovely passes from a left centre-back role in the first half, which he dropped into during most of the game, and was mostly untroubled in a defensive sense. Basically played left wing-back at times which he doesn’t suit in, and got caught ball watching for the goal.

Dani Ceballos (CM) – 5/10 – Rustiness? Shouldn’t be. Instructions from the manager he clearly didn’t agree with? Didn’t help. Indeed, Arteta instructed Ceballos to play wider on the right and he didn’t look happy with it. Furthermore, in possession he was too slow in moving the ball on and not positive enough.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 8/10 – Was direct in his play and the usual energetic live-wire we’ve come to expect. Got a knock in the second half which forced him to come off earlier than Arsenal would have liked.

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – 4/10 – Not a good evening for the Frenchman. His touches were so poor and it looked like another one of those ‘trying too hard’ performances. Missed a glaring chance to open the scoring, but unlucky to have a goal chalked off. Night to forget.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (LW) – 5/10 – It’s not his fault though, is it? He does a job for the team, even on his unfavoured right side. He’s not the player to do neat one-twos on the touchline, despite his technical ability, and the calls for him to play centrally will only heat up after Lacazette’s showing.

Substitutes

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1320464818915205120

Shkodran Mustafi – 5/10 – Having been out for so long, Mustafi did alright on his return to the side.

Nicolas Pepe – 3/10 – Genuinely forgot he even came on. Had no impact, whatsoever.

Eddie Nketiah – N/A – Not enough time to impose himself after coming on.