Arsenal player ratings vs Benfica: Bukayo Saka secures first leg draw

Arsenal Midfielders Ratings

Dani Ceballos (CM) – 7/10 – So tough to judge. On the one hand, he did well in covering runners, breaking play and moving forward. However, the style Arsenal reverted to, in particular during the first half, was the old-Ceballos approach of failing to understand the economy of touches and always playing backwards. Using him as this deep focal point when players needed to be found in forward areas soon returned to the fore.

But again, that isn’t necessarily his fault, but a byproduct of his involvement. Most confusing of all, he played so well. His tracking back, breaking play and forward passes were effective throughout, even if there were too many touches. Based on his display, he was very good.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 6/10 – Could so easily have given a goal away and was guilty of a few needless fouls in areas of no real danger. Not his best night, misplaced too many passes and invited unnecessary pressure, even if he provided a fine covering tackle on occasion.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 8/10 – Some of his touches and defence-splitting passes were excellent, especially for the Gunners’ goal, finding the space and slaloming his way out of dangerous areas.

He wasn’t found enough, if anything. The spaces he picked up were threatening areas had the decision to stay wide not been on the agenda. Did all the simple elements excellently.