Arsenal player ratings vs Norwich: Aubameyang scores in vital 1-0 win

Arsenal secured a valuable Premier League victory over Norwich on Saturday as a second half goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was all that separated the sides in a hard fought encounter.

Mikel Arteta made welcome changes from the previous Premier League outing with starts in defence for centre-back pair Ben White and Gabriel. Takehiro Tomiyasu was handed a debut at right-back after only joining up with the side on Thursday, while Aaron Ramsdale was a surprise inclusion in goal.

In midfield there was no welcome return for Thomas Partey, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles partnering Albert Sambi Lokonga, while Emile Smith Rowe was not passed fit after illness to line up in the front three as Nicolas Pepe took his spot.

A lively opening from the hosts was aided by a raucous Emirates Stadium crowd, with Nicolas Pepe in particular seeing plenty of possession and winning a few corners.

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Arsenal player ratings vs Norwich as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores the only goal in a 1-0 win for Mikel Arteta’s side

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has a decent chance when played in behind by Kieran Tierney, only to snap at the chance and drag his effort wide.

The tempo dropped as the half wore on with Takehiro Tomiyasu coming closest to breaking the deadlock for Arsenal when his volley was superbly tipped over.

After the break Pepe was somehow denied from point blank range as Arsenal continued to push, with the goal eventually coming via the foot of Aubameyang who tapped home after an almighty scramble in the penalty box with the post being struck twice.

There were numerous chances falling to Arsenal as Norwich pressed for an equaliser, with Mikel Arteta’s side somehow failing to find a crucial second goal.

In the end though, it was enough.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 7/10 – Didn’t have a great deal to do with Norwich’s efforts at goal not troubling the keeper.

Some nice passes out from the back but a few hit too hard and some a touch wayward. However, after the break, his distribution was excellent.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) – 7/10 – Very strong debut from the Japanese international who combined all the elements you’d want to see from a right-back into one package: supported his forwards, tracked runners and won everything in the air.

Tucked infield well as Arsenal built up with some neat play through the thirds. Really impressive.

Ben White (CB) – 6/10 – Calm in possession as you’d like to see and wasn’t overly troubled with men running at him in transition.

Brings some reassurance to the backline, although a baffling decision late on nearly ruined that.

Gabriel (CB) – 6/10 – Couple of slightly hairy moments with balls into the box but Gabriel played into feet well down the left flank and slotted a couple of decent balls through the lines.

Made a vital late challenge to deny Teemu Pukki. A huge tackle.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 6/10 – Arsenal’s left-winger, essentially, was unlucky with a couple of crosses that were tightly contested.

Midfielders

Ainsley Maitland-Niles (CM) – 6/10 – Not the performance Maitland-Niles would have wanted as he struggled for positioning, lacking the midfield nous of knowing when to press and when to drop off.

There were a few strong recovery tackles though, and some of his defensive actions were strong, yet often it’s simply a case of not being the quality desired to play a midfield role at this level. It’s not his best position.

To his credit, he picked out some far better balls into dangerous areas after the break, he’s just too casual.

Sambi Lokonga (CM) – 7.5/10 – There were some communication issues with his fellow midfield partner which, if we’re being honest, were entirely expected. Having never played together it was noticeable how both would drop off in unison when one needed to press, partially due to nerves one would imagine.

However, on the ball, Sambi continues to look like a shrewd addition. His turns in midfield are neat and his option of pass almost always the right one. Some great defensive and progressive work.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 7/10 – Has there been a player at Arsenal with an engine like Odegaard’s since….Ramsey? Probably not. Nonstop running and initiating the press, his desire and work rate are superb.

As for ability, he picked out a few neat passes and showed the creative wisdom to unpick a few locks. The only player looking to play through the lines instead of over them.

Forwards

Nicolas Pepe (RW) – 7/10 – Saw plenty of the ball in the early exchanges and won a series of corners, while his trickery was on show once more.

However, the was too close to the touchline. Picking up the ball in those areas is not where he’s most threatening and it needed to change. Guilty of some poor first touches but in the end Arteta kept him on, which proved to be the right decision.

His danger inside the box, and his superb finishing, is evidence enough that he needs to be closer to goal.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – 7/10 – Was found in behind on a few occasions, one in particular that he snapped at, and was always on the move.

Drifted out the left to better effect in the second half and was in the right place at the right time to tuck away his goal.

Bukayo Saka (LW) – 7/10 – Not his most threatening afternoon as Norwich took part in the weekly rotational fouling of the star boy.

Received the ball in some tight areas after the break though and caused the Norwich defence far more problems. Excellent work rate, as ever and was all over Norwich at the end but couldn’t apply the finishing touch.

Arsenal Substitutes Ratings

Emile Smith Rowe – 6/10 – Didn’t make the most of a couple of dangerous situations in advanced areas but added some solid technical security in the final third.

Thomas Partey – 7/10 – That one pass into Saka in the build up to the goal…that’s why he’s so important. Line-breaking pass to set Arsenal off.

Cedric Soares -N/A – That shot late on. Oh yes.