Arsenal 3-0 Dundalk Player Ratings: Youngsters Impress in Comfortable Win

Arsenal beat Dundalk 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

After slipping to a poor home defeat against Leicester in the most recent round of Premier League fixtures, Arsenal took on their Irish opponents for the first time in their history in the second round of their Europa League campaign.

A youthful side saw Alex Runarsson make his Arsenal debut, while there were also starts for Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah in attack.

It started off incredibly slowly, with plenty of probing around the box for large spells without producing anything noteworthy. There was just one shot on target before goalkeeper Gary Rogers’ error from a corner presented Nketiah with the chance to fire home. Willock’s calm finish after the ball fell to him put Arsenal two in front just before the break.

Nicolas Pepe scored a quite sublime goal less than a minute after the restart, a goal that sealed the points Arsenal were already on course to secure.

Dominating the ball from thereon in, there were no further goals to come on a comfortable night for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Alex Runarsson (GK) – 6/10 – It’s very hard to judge the Icelandic goalkeeper on his debut for the club given he had so little to do. Was understandably nervous at the start when he pushed a long range drive out for a corner despite it already going wide.

Cedric Soares (RB) – 6/10 – Stretched the play well down the right side and produced a few wayward crosses, but Dundalk’s ten men behind the ball prevented him from being able to influence much in an attacking sense.

Shkodran Mustafi (CB) – 6/10 – As with his central defensive partner, Mustafi was starved of much action at his end of the pitch. Even fancied himself making a few runs down the right to spark some life into the opening periods. Taken off early to rest ahead of Old Trafford since, y’know, there is nobody else.

Granit Xhaka (CB) – 7/10 – If he wasn’t so slow, he could re-imagine himself as a ball playing centre-back. Well, perhaps not, but he had all the time in the world to feed the midfielders with Dundalk content to allow Arsenal all the time they wanted on the ball.

Sead Kolasinac (LB) – 7/10 – Willing to run beyond the last line of defence, it was a lively showing from Kolasinac who overlapped well and essentially played as a left-winger all evening.

Midfielders

Joe Willock (CM) – 9/10 – Fantastic shift from Willock this evening. Occupied the closest thing to a No. 10 on the night, with well-timed runs from deep into the box. Nice to see him driving with the ball, picking up spaces in between defenders. Took his goal superbly as well.

This game was tailor made for him. His bravery on the ball often sees him scrutinised, but his decision making paid off tonight with one of his better displays for the club.

Mohamed Elneny (CM) – 8/10 – Gave away plenty of fouls – many tactical – but Elneny quietly went about his business very efficiently on Thursday. Retained possession very well and dominated the midfield almost on his own.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles (CM) – 6/10 – The quietest of, possibly, the whole team. Had very little impact on the game aside from coming inside to allow wide players to run beyond him. The tactical setup made him mostly anonymous.

Forwards

Reiss Nelson (RW) – 8/10 – Made aggressive runs all evening, in stark comparison to his wide partner. Never gave the Dundalk defenders a moment’s peace with his pace and trickery. For someone who has played very little football with the senior team this season, he looked sharp throughout.

All that is lacking from his game is some better end product. Improve that final ball and we’ve got someone knocking on the Premier League door. He probably is already, in fairness.

Eddie Nketiah (ST) – 7/10 – Showed his poacher instincts with the opener, reacting quickest to the loose ball. His hunger was evident tonight, as ever, constantly screaming for possession and making runs either side of the centre-backs trying to pick up space where he could be a threat.

Nicolas Pepe (LW) – 6/10 – Sublime skill and finish to score the goal seconds after the restart, but that moment of brilliance can’t mask over an uninspiring first half. His deliveries felt lazy, while he showed no real urgency on the ball.

So frustrating since the goal demonstrates what he’s capable of. We need more than occasional flashes.

Substitutes

Willian – 7/10 – Positive display from the Brazilian after coming on, taking a leaf out of Nelson’s books by repatedly driving at the full-backs.

Dani Ceballos – 7/10 – Came and sat deep – briefly in a back-three of him Xhaka and Elneny! – and didn’t put a foot wrong. Was never under any pressure to make a mistake, mind you.

Kieran Tierney – N/A – Fancied his chances at a screamer, but it’s hard to judge him after a short cameo.

Folarin Balogun – N/A – Very Nketiah like in his style when he came on, playing on the centre-backs’ shoulders, but he too didn’t see much action.