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[Ratings & goals] Frankfurt 0-3 Arsenal: Saka & Willock star for Gunners

By on September 19, 2019

bukayo saka arsenal

Arsenal got back to winning ways with an impressive 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in our opening Europa League group game this evening.

We wasted a number of great chance to open the scoring with Lucas Torreira, Emile Smith Rowe and Joe Willock all squandering opportunities but we eventually broke the deadlock shortly before half-time when Willock’s effort deflected over Kevin Trapp for 1-0.

Dominik Kohr was sent off in the 79th minute for a second booking and Arsenal used their man advantage to great affect as Bakayo Saka curled a superb effort into the bottom corner from 20 yards to make it 2-0 six minutes later.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a sitter but then in true Auba style he still got his goal after being set-up by Saka as Arsenal took control of Group F with a 3-0 victory this evening.

Here are my ratings:

Martinez  7.5/10 | Great low save to deny Kostic and keep it at 0-0 early on and produced another effort to secure our half-time lead. Was excellent at claiming crosses and dealt with everything that was thrown at him. Terrific display.

Chambers  6.5/10 | Did well enough at right-back despite the threat of Kostic but is obviously more comfortable at centre-back as he was very limited going forward.

Mustafi  6.5/10 | Back in the team and to be fair he didn’t really put a foot wrong. Cleared his lines well and didn’t make too many rash tackles.

Luiz  6.5/10 | No horror errors from him tonight and he went about his business quietly and efficiently. Also played some lovely long passes in the second half.

Kolasinac  6/10 | A fairly quiet evening. Didn’t really do much of note going forward. Limped off late on with a knock. Hopefully it’s not serious as we have no back-up at left-back.

Xhaka  6.5/10 | Once again started in the holding role and at times his lack of pace was exposed. Against a better team it would have cost us, as it has done so many times in the past. This wasn’t his worst display as he was tidy in possession but he’s NOT the man to sit at the base of a three-man midfield.

Torreira  6.5/10 | No idea why he isn’t playing as a defensive midfielder as he spent more time bombing forward into the box. No surprise when he blazed a glorious chance over the bar early on. Wasted playing further forward. The sooner Emery plays him as DM the better.

Willock  8/10 | Fired a great chance wide midway through the first half but got a stroke of luck to open the scoring just before half time with a deflected strike. Made a superb run in the second half and was always looking to get on the ball and move us forward. Another excellent all-round display.

Smith Rowe  5.5/10 | Missed a one-v-one in the first half and looked a little rusty – which is understandable given this was his first start of 2019. Nothing really went his way tonight but lots more to come from him.

Aubameyang  7/10 | Missed a sitter to make it 2-0 late on and fired one wide in the first half too but in true Aubameyang style he bagged a goal late on with a cool finish. Wasn’t at his best but still got on the score-sheet, which is what makes him such a deadly striker.

Saka  8.5/10 | Outstanding performance from the teenager. Always a danger on the ball and scored the crucial second with a fine strike from outside the box. Capped off his performance with an assist for Aubameyang. Saka is a huge talent and he should be pushing Nelson for game-time this season.

Subs:

Pepe   6/10 | Showed off his dribbling skills a few times and won some free-kicks.

Ceballos   6/10 | Saw plenty of the ball after coming on and was always keen to make things happen.

Maitland-Niles   N/A | Late cameo after replacing Kolasinac.

In truth, the stand out players made the difference tonight with Martinez, Willock and Saka doing the damage for Arsenal and it’s great to see the youngsters doing so well. Next up, Aston Villa on Sunday…

Watch the goals from tonight’s game below: