Arsenal player ratings vs Leeds: 2-0 win books EFL quarter-final spot

Forwards

Nicolas Pepe (RW) – 5/10 – One of ‘those’ nights. Unbelievably predictable in possession and while he may have had the bit between his teeth, the ball struggled to stay between his feet.

He needed to make an impact on Tuesday, and while he did, it was not a positive one. But, in fairness, his defensive work in the second half was solid enough, so he avoids a really low score.

Eddie Nketiah (ST) – 6/10 – Called for the ball to feet very often which would work as a plan if the rest of the team worked to accompany that. There weren’t enough runs in beyond or behind.

When he did get the ball Nketiah constantly tried to work Pascal Struijk, yet the link up with his fellow forwards was lacking, something that improved after the break as he ran all game. When his chance did come he took it half brilliantly, and half fortuitously: super first touches and a near horror second. It’s the goal that matters though.

Good shift.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 5/10 – On a big night for Martinelli, he came up short. Often left to make things happen on his own was distances too long, his efforts to come inside and work play, sometimes swapping position with Nketiah, failed to hit the mark.

Guilty of trying too hard? Perhaps. And even if he looked sharper as the game wore on, it wasn’t the impact he would have wanted.

Continued…