UEFA Europa League 2017/18: Arsenal 0-0 Red Star Belgrade, Player Ratings

Arsenal progress to the knockout rounds of the UEFA Europa League despite the lacklustre performance at home against Red Star Belgrade.

Arsene Wenger fielded a similar side to the one that took on visitors on their patch of grass the last time over but failed to gain a similar result as the Serbians sat back and let Arsenal play out in front of them.

The Emirates wasn't nearly as full as it used to be but the crowd knew what they were in for given the players that started the game. Here's how they fared:

Arsenal

Matt Macey - 7/10

Barring one terrible of a pass in the first half and a simply exquisite safe to prevent the visitors from taking the lead, the 23-year-old was fairly untroubled and dealt with boredom well.

Mathieu Debuchy - 7.5/10

Another impressive and solid performance from the Frenchman who's been looking for a way out for the past two windows. Won his battles and did his job just as Wenger would've wanted.

Mohamed Elneny - 7.5/10

Still offputting to see the Egyptian at the heart of the defence but he did venture forward and almost got an assist for a lovely lob to Theo Walcott in the second half.

Rob Holding - 7.5/10

The more minutes he gets under his belt, the better he seems to be getting. Often overexposed by Ainsley Maitland-Niles going forward but did well to keep all the threats at bay.

Reiss Nelson - 8/10

He's exciting and he's tricky with the ball at his feet. Ran through a whole battalion of players in the second half only for Theo Walcott to go and find himself offside from the pass.

Joe Willock - 7/10

Promising runs into the final third but needs to improve his decision making. Surprisingly balanced and firm despite his build.

Francis Coquelin - 7.5/10

Won 7 of his 11 duels, won all three of his tackles and was otherwise a deranged energiser bunny looking to make do with the best of chances.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles - 7/10

He's the most nonchalant-looking player Arsenal have had for a while. And it is frustrating at times how he could've made better decisions in the final third. Great defensively, though.

Theo Walcott - 6.5/10

Was offside.

Jack Wilshere - 8/10

Arsenal's best player of the day and the team's only creative player. He tried as hard as he could to make chances but the two men in front of him just weren't feeling it.

Olivier Giroud - 6.5/10

Was bullied all game and did little of importance to help his side. Needs better support, sure, but he needs to find a way to play against this kind of opposition, too.

Substitutes

Edward Nketiah - 6/10

Came on in the 68th minute to a rapturous cheer of 'Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!' but did little to replicate his feat from midweek last time around. Movement was promising, though.

A fabulous performance from the visitors to get a point at the Emirates.

Red Star Belgrade

Milan Borjan - 7/10

2 saves, 2 high claims and the occasional dive to the ground to waste time. The Canadian hardly had anything to save and when he had to, he did. Meh.

Marko Gobejic - 7/10

3 tackles won, 3 interceptions, 5 clearances and a 78.6% pass accuracy rate were decent from the 25-year-old Serbian. Was a threat down the wing, too.

Damien Le Tallec - 7.5/10

The Frenchman who wore down the HFB was superb tonight. Continuously dealt with Giroud and all balls that came into the box. Man of the match contender if not the following guy.

Vujadin Savic - 8.5/10

Definitely the man of the match and the one who ensured his side stayed in the game. Put in an incredible shift at the heart of their defence and should be proud of the same.

Filip Stojkovic - 6.5/10

Often was confused by Jack Wilshere and Ainsley Maitland-Niles down the wing and could've dealt with them better. Eddie Nketiah gave him problems, too.

Nenad Krsticic - 6.5/10

A poor day for both the midfielders as they failed to get into the game often overpowered by the attacking options Arsenal had at their disposal. Nenad Krsticic was a mere dummy all game.

Mitchell Donald (C) - 6.5/10

One to forget for the Dutch national and the captain of the side. Hardly got into the game and hardly did anything when given the chance.

Nemanja Radonjic - 7/10

A live wire down the left and often kept pulling back Reiss Nelson to the back. Did well a couple of times to get into the channel but the final ball was poor.

Guelor Kanga - 6.5/10

Was visibly disappointed coming off in the second half. Should've stayed on, he was their main creative force.

Slavoljub Srnic - 7.5/10

He put in two delicious balls into the box for his striker to put away. Should've had both assists but otherwise was kept quiet by Rob Holding.

Richmond Boakye - 5.5/10

Missed every chance he got including two one-on-ones and two tap-ins. Chelsea are supposedly interested in signing him.

Substitutes

Nemanja Milic - 6.5/10

Got in, put his foot through a couple of Arsenal players. Did nothing else.

Uros Racic - 6.5/10

Didn't play long enough for any comment.

Aleksandar Pesic - NA/10

Came on in the 89th minute. Ran around a little.