Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal player ratings vs Villarreal: Devastating Europa League exit

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 06: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal reacts during the UEFA Europa League Semi-final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Villareal CF at Emirates Stadium on May 06, 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 Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 06: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal reacts during the UEFA Europa League Semi-final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Villareal CF at Emirates Stadium on May 06, 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 Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Arsenal, Thomas Partey
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 06: Daniel Parejo of Villarreal is tackled by Thomas Partey of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Semi-final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Villareal CF at Emirates Stadium. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Arsenal Midfielders Ratings

Thomas Partey (CM) – 5/10 – Tried out one of his long shots on the wrong goal, saved by Leno’s dive with one of his more woeful passes. Was getting caught upfield too often early on with no cover in front of the back four, but showed the usual silk on the ball with some nice touches and play through the lines.

Was about the only one contributing in playing through the thirds, and had so much ground to cover by himself. It would have worked better had Arsenal have played in the opposition half as the team put was was intended to, and it showed as he became worryingly sloppy in the second half.

Emile Smith Rowe (CM) – 6/10 – Came into a system that, on paper, excited before kick-off. Tasked with being the left-sided central midfielder to Thomas Partey, it was another example of a player being asked to do too much. He, like so many, just looked scared.

However, he gave his absolute all. Everything he had. Tried to create, tried to move, tried to play.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 4/10 – Unable to get into the game at all and found himself dropping into a deep right slot to try and make Arsenal build quicker from the back. Came to life early in the second half but ended up losing his composure and became sloppy in possession and started making the wrong decisions on the ball.

Home/Arsenal News