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

By Mac Johnson

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal scores their side's first goal past Ondrej Kolar of Slavia Praha during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Slavia Praha at Emirates Stadium on April 08, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around Europe 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 Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal scores their side's first goal past Ondrej Kolar of Slavia Praha during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Slavia Praha at Emirates Stadium on April 08, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around Europe 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 Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal’s French striker Alexandre Lacazette reacts after missing a chance during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg football match between Arsenal and Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 8, 2021. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s French striker Alexandre Lacazette reacts after missing a chance during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg football match between Arsenal and Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 8, 2021. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /

Forwards

RW: Bukayo Saka – 8.0

Man of the Match. Our brightest player by a significant margin, which shocks just about nobody. Made beautiful runs both vertically and horizontally, and terrorized the Slavia backline. Started the second half as he meant to continue, recovering the ball in his own box and carrying it all the way to the opposition 18, where he drew one of a number of key fouls on the edge of the area. Did miss on a few key crosses though.

ST: Alexandre Lacazette – 6.0

Suffered from a very hot-and-cold first half. Half of his actions were inch-perfect, the other half terribly sloppy. Dropped very deep to cover for the high-pressing Xhaka at times, and did his due diligence defensively. Grew into the game, and played a number of lovely line-breaking passes to Saka. Looked to tire into the second half, highlighted by an inexcusable miss on a wide-open breakaway, which marred what was a bright performance overall.

LW: Willian – 5.8

Very energetic going forward, to his credit, but didn’t work hard enough when Slavia had the ball. Slightly marginalized tactically by a drifting Emile Smith Rowe, and looked to play more as a third No. 8 alongside Xhaka, which worked well. Looked comfortable and incisive, if a bit blunt in the final third. Deserved better on a lovely curled free kick that hit the post. Dwelt on the ball a bit too much for my liking.

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