Arsenal player ratings vs Slavia Prague: Pepe goal cancelled out for draw

Arsenal took on a controversial Slavia Prague side this Thursday and drew 1-1, as the Czech side visited the Emirates for a crucial first leg tie. The Červenobílí have made headlines recently, with allegations of racial abuse directed from star centre-back Ondrej Kúdela, who missed the match due to a ban, against Rangers midfielder and former Arsenal starlet Glen Kamara. The Gunners had something to prove coming into this match.

Mikel Arteta looked to deploy his typical 4-2-3-1 formation, with Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka returning to the squad once injury concerns were resolved. Granit Xhaka also made his triumphant return, after his streak of 20 consecutive matches was put to a halt by injury. Crucially, though, both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe were omitted from the Starting XI, with Hector Bellerin donning the captain’s armband in the Gabon international’s stead.

Our Czech opponents started the game in sizzling fashion, looking the stronger side in the opening minutes. Despite their clear tactical briefing that Arsenal were perennially slow starters, the first big chance fell to Bukayo Saka after a lovely chipped ball from Lacazette, but it went begging. The game evened out after that, with both sides looking shaky in the final third, though the Gunners started to enjoy the lion’s share of the possession as the first half went on.

Arteta brought back his fluidity of old, with the formation rotating from the typical 4-2-3-1 to an asymmetrical 4-3-3, with Willian dropping deep as a No. 8, and Emile Smith Rowe featuring heavily off the left wing. The Gunners created the majority of the chances, with only a few snapshots going Slavia Prague’s way.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1380262036899311618

Arsenal Player Ratings as Gunners draw 1-1 with Slavia Prague in the Europa League on Thursday

The second half looked to carry on as the first ended, with the Gunners establishing a healthy spell of possession, marred only by a few sloppy passes.

The Gunners looked resolute defensively throughout, and created the lion’s share of the chances, just lacking a final ball on most occasions, although we were noticeably lacking runners in the box.

In the end, it took us four substitutions and 86 minutes to score, but Nicolas Pepe scored a lovely dinked goal to finally put Slavia to the sword. Unfortunately, a 90+4th minute equalizer off a corner gifted the Czech side an undeserved draw.

Goalkeeper and Defenders

GK : Bernd Leno – 6.0

Reverted to type with his distribution, prioritizing short passes over the ugly long balls we saw against Liverpool. Saved comfortably when called upon, which was rare, and watched a few snapshots fly harmlessly over. Did well to save a deflected shot off of Bellerin, and was unlucky not to keep a clean sheet.

RB: Hector Bellerin – 6.0

His tendency to tuck inside, rather than stepping out to block crosses and cover runners, is starting to irk me. He was our quietest player in the first half, but was dependable when called upon. Did well to combine with Saka on a number of occasions, and anticipated many of Ondrej Kolar’s misplayed clearances.

CB: Rob Holding – 7.5

Very solid outing from Holding, especially after a poor outing four days previously. Showed great instincts in intercepting the ball, and was imperious in the air. His passing, too, was very sharp, and he found Saka on no less than four occasions, as the Englishman made lung-busting runs behind the Slavia backline.

CB: Gabriel Magalhaes – 7.0

Just uses his body so, so well, especially when he drops a shoulder and turns. Looked to push up and play aggressively, even popping up on the edge of the box on occasion. Cleared the ball safely when necessary, but his ball-retention was top-notch. Showed little flashes of his true pace at times too, and made a number of good recovery runs.

LB: Cedric Soares – 6.5

Really solid performance from Cedric. Did everything asked of him, and was notably good under pressure on the rare occasions Arsenal were pressed by the Czech outfit. Did well not to raise any eyebrows, and grew into his own in the second half. Did very well both overlapping and underlapping Willian, and was nearly unstoppable going forward. Showed some fire as well, but it must be said, at fault for the equalizer.