UEFA Europa League 2017/18: Red Star Belgrade 0-1 Arsenal, Player Ratings

Arsenal

Arsenal managed to leave with 3 valuable points that puts them at the top of their group

Petr Cech: 6/10

When called upon, the 34-year-old keeper was always up to par. Before the game, he might have felt he wouldn’t have to do much, but instead, due to the porous defence in front of him, he had to make 3 crucial saves.

Mathieu Debuchy: 5.5/10

For his first appearance in 11 months, the Frenchman was adequate for the Gunners tonight. On top of that, Arsène Wenger decided to play the full-back at RCB, to which he adjusted well.

Mohamed Elneny: 6/10

Out of position and out of form, Mohamed Elneny showed the Arsenal faithful why the boss has so much faith in him. He adjusted well to being in a back three and pushed forward several times to bolster up the midfield.

Rob Holding: 6/10

The young Englishman was a calming presence at the back for the Gunners. In front of a sold out Rajko Miti? stadium, Holding ensured he maintained his positioning in line with Arsenal’s attacking play.

Reiss Nelson: 7/10

The 17-year-old has been somewhat of a revelation ever since he debuted in the Emirates Cup. In his third Europa League start of the year, the youngster shone brightly as Arsenal’s only attacking threat of the game. He tirelessly ran up and down the flank, looking to create 2v1s with Theo Walcott at every opportunity.

Francis Coquelin: 6/10

Francis Coquelin did all game what he does best, win the ball back and circulate possession. It’s not a special skillset but it’s just what Arsène Wenger demands of him.

Joseph Willock: 5/10

In his first senior start for the club, the youngster basically faded into the background as the lights shone too bright for him. His passing was wayward and his positioning was naive, however, he’ll learn bucket loads from the experience.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles: 5.5/10

Maitland-Niles did his best to surge into the final third but his attacking contribution just wasn’t up to par. There were several times where Olivier Giroud was left visibly frustrated by the youngster’s inability to find him with a cross. In his defence, the 20-year-old wasn’t playing on his favoured side.

Theo Walcott: 5/10

Although he got himself into many favourable attacking positions, Theo Walcott was very poor in his final third contribution. He reminded Arsenal fans why he doesn’t ever feature in the Premier League. Don’t let his assist for Giroud fool you, that was all made by the genius of Jack Wilshere.

Jack Wilshere: 8/10

Red Star Belgrade v Arsenal FC - UEFA Europa League

Just as Reiss Nelson was Arsenal’s main attacking spark, Jack Wilshere was Arsenal’s hub of creativity. Everything good through the middle came at the feet of the Englishman as he constantly drove at the heart of the Red Star Belgrade defence.

The 25-year-old had 64 touches of the ball, completed 5 dribbles, created 2 chances and made 25 accurate passes in the final third. Not to mention he was instrumental in creating Arsenal’s only goal of the game.

Olivier Giroud: 6/10

The Frenchman often cut a lonely and frustrated figure up front. He wanted to hold up play but his touch was often poor meaning he lost the ball instead. However, in such typical Giroud fashion, after a poor game, he came up with a moment of brilliance to settle the game for the Gunners. And at the end of the day as a striker that’s his job, to decide games.

Substitutions:

Marcus McGuane – N/A

In the 89th minute, the central midfielder gained a few minutes of play but he wasn’t able to affect the game.

Ben Sheaf – N/A

The 19-year-old was able to make his senior debut for the club but didn’t have enough time to make an impact.