Arsenal player ratings vs Aston Villa: Watkins sinks Gunners

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’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta 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 via Getty Images) /

Arsenal Substitutes and Mikel Arteta Ratings

Mikel Arteta – 6/10 – Arsenal didn’t play badly on the day and Arteta can bemoan some poor actions in the final third and a lazy piece of defending from Cedric. Really went for it with the changes in the second half. However, the decision to bring Willian on and switch flanks with Pepe made no sense.

Xhaka found Pepe all afternoon down that side, and even if Pepe didn’t take advantage of the situations, the threat remained.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 5/10 – Got into dangerous areas after replacing Lacazette, being denied by a fine Tyrone Mings tackle on one occasion. Moved well and added urgency in the attack but not enough impact. Mostly anonymous.

Martin Odegaard – 6/10 – Sprayed passes around after coming on and maintained the speed of Arsenal’s attacks. Some good signs. Can’t shoot, though.

Willian – 3/10 – Hmmm. Reiss Nelson must be fuming in the Under-23s.

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