Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal player ratings vs Aston Villa: Watkins sinks Gunners

By Ross Kennerley

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (C) gestures during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on February 6, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / 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 SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (C) gestures during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on February 6, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / 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 SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Thomas Partey
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Thomas Partey of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park on February 6, 2021 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

Arsenal Midfielders Ratings

Thomas Partey (CM) – 6/10 – Mixed bag for Partey who demonstrated his elegant footwork to forge openings in midfield, yet also misplaced a few sloppy passes. On occasion there were few options for him to aim for but it’s clear he’s still working his way back to full match sharpness.

Another injury is worrying.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 7/10 – Didn’t release the ball quick enough in the first half with a handful of slow reactions in midfield. That doesn’t take away from his fight, though.

Releasing the ball with more pace after the break, his influence on the team was evident.

Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – 6/10 – Endless running and pressing from the front, both in limiting time on the ball for the Villa defenders and reclaiming possession from midfield.

Came alive in the second half and all of Arsenal’s best play came through the 20-year-old. His pressing was infectious and he began pulling the strings all over.

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