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.

Midfielders

RCM: Thomas Partey – 6.0

So much more comfortable alongside Xhaka in the midfield. Looked very adept defensively, although his passes looked a bit sloppy. Drove well with the ball, and drew a number of key fouls. Got a bit too cute on occasion, although his overall influence was a positive one.

LCM: Granit Xhaka  – 6.5

Solid and dependable, as he so often has been lately. He pressured really well, and his heading was resolute throughout. Looked to drop slightly deeper to make room for Willian, and controlled possession magnificently for much of the match. Good performance

CAM: Emile Smith Rowe – 7.0

Looked to play left wing at times, and has clearly been coached to drop deep less, similar to the role Ødegaard has been playing recently. Made a couple of beautiful, darting runs down that flank, and created great space with his legs, as he is wont to do. Had some lovely moments of holdup play as well, and was frequently double and triple-teamed as Slavia struggled with his pace. Possibly should have done better on the Lacazette rebound, though he could not have expected the Frenchman to miss.

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.

Substitutes

SUB: Gabriel Martinelli – 5.5

Come on, people, it’s Gabriel Martinelli we’re talking about here. Gave 110%, and nearly scored a worldie, on his weaker foot. Didn’t get on the ball as much as I would have liked.

SUB: Nicolas Pepe – 6.5

First off, I’m glad Saka didn’t play the full 90 minutes. Wrap him in bubble wrap please. Pepe looked bright from the off and did well to create. Made a couple of questionable decisions, but looked sharp, and the finish was nothing short of sublime.

SUB: Mohamed Elneny – 5.5

Solid. Enough said.

SUB: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 6.0

Missed a sitter with his second touch of his debut, albeit on his left foot. Anonymous otherwise, until a deft touch set up Nicolas Pepe for a pearl of a finish. So deserved.

SUB: Dani Ceballos – N/A

Not enough time to deserve a rating.