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[Player Ratings] Arsenal 2-1 Blackpool: Cech poor but Smith Rowe impresses

By on October 31, 2018

Arsenal had to dig deep to book their place in the last-8 of the Carabao Cup after narrowly beating Blackpool 2-1 at the Emirates this evening with both sides finishing the game with 10-men.

Stephan Lichtsteiner opened the scoring before Emile Smith Rowe made it 2-0 shortly after the break. Matteo Guendouzi was then sent off for two needless bookings and Blackpool reduced the deficit thanks to an O’Connor header. However, the defender was then sent-off for a poor tackle on Aubameyang allowing Arsenal to ease to a 2-1 win.

Here are my ratings:

Cech  5/10 | Rooted to his line for their goal and got away with a major mistake just minutes later when he was dispossessed while trying to play the ball out from the back. Not a great evening for him.

Jenkinson  6/10 | Was nervy early on, which is understandable on his first appearance in two years, but settled in to the game. Set-up the eventual winner for Smith Rowe. Didn’t look confident in possession when pressed though.

Mustafi  6.5/10 | Completely lost for their goal but was otherwise solid enough against the League One side. Perhaps he’s found his level.

Pleguezuelo  6.5/10 | A decent debut for the youngster. Looked assured on the ball and was positionally sound. Hopefully he can push on from this.

Lichtsteiner  7/10 | Took his goal well following a clever run in to the box and wasn’t given too much trouble at the back.

Guendouzi  7/10 | Superb assist for the opening goal and was dictating play in midfield before getting himself sent off for two needless fouls. Hopefully he’ll learn from it as we were cruising before his dismissal.

Maitland-Niles  6/10 | Understandably lacked sharpness on his return from injury and seemed a yard slower than usual. However, still tidy on the ball and it was good to see him get some minutes under his belt.

Mkhitaryan  7/10 | Very lively early on when he was involved in everything and had a couple of shots at goal. Faded as the game went on but still always keen to get involved.

Ramsey  6.5/10 | Didn’t really take his chance to stake his claim for a regular first team place. We just didn’t see enough of the Welshman.

Smith Rowe  7/10 | Another impressive outing from the teenager that saw him score his second senior goal with a decent finish.

Welbeck  5/10 | Disappointing performance. Welbeck was full of running but rarely troubled the Blackpool defence. He should be killing it against this kind of opposition.

Subs:

WATCH THE GOALS FROM ARSENAL 2-1 BLACKPOOL HERE

Torreira  6.5/10 | On following Guendouzi’s dismissal to tighten things up.

Iwobi  6/10 | No real impact.

Aubameyang   6.5/10 | His pace in behind was a threat and unlucky to be flagged offside a couple of times when he was through on goal.