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[Player Ratings] Qarabag 0-3 Arsenal: Leno & Smith Rowe impress, Welbeck struggles

By mac14 on October 4, 2018

Bernd Leno and Emile Smith Rowe were two of the stars as Arsenal beat Qarabag 3-0 in their Europa League group stage game this evening.

We opened the scoring early on as Sokratis diverted a Nacho Monreal header in to the net for 1-0 before Smith Rowe capped a fine performance with a well taken goal for 2-0 shortly after half time.

Matteo Guendouzi sealed the three points with a fine effort late on to move us on to six points in Group E and extend our winning run to eight games in all competitions.

Here are my ratings:

Leno 8/10 | Another encouraging performance. Made some great saves, including one crucial effort to keep the score at 1-0 in the first half. Showed he’s also great with his feet too.

Lichtsteiner 5.5/10 | Was given a tough time during the first half when we were playing with a back three/five but more solid in a flat back four after the break. Not much of a threat going forward.

Holding 6.5/10 | Didn’t look as comfortable with his position in the back three but better in the second half. Made a couple of excellent blocks/tackles.

Sokratis 7/10 | Opened the scoring in fortuitous circumstances to get his first goal for the club and was solid at the back once again. Becoming a rock in defence.

Monreal 5/10 | Assisted the Sokratis goal but was poor defensively in the left of the back three. Subbed at half time.

Kolasinac 6/10 | A threat going forward and linked up well with Iwobi at times but was a little suspect defensively at left-back in the second half.

Guendouzi 7.5/10 | Plenty of energy in midfield and had a very impressive 91% pass completion rate. Also got himself off the mark with a well taken goal. Great all-round performance.

Elneny 6/10 | Another typical Elneny display. Neat and tidy without really doing too much.

Smith Rowe 8/10 | This kid looks like he’ll be a star. Wasn’t fazed by a tricky away European night. Always wanted the and wasn’t afraid to try things. Capped off an excellent night with a cool finish to make it 2-0.

Iwobi 8/10 | Another excellent performance from the emerging Iwobi. His direct running was a real asset at times and he set-up the Smith Rowe goal. Always a threat.

Welbeck 6/10 | Didn’t really influence things too much as he was overshadowed by his team mates. Got the flick on for the second goal but was otherwise quiet and he struggled to get in the game.

Subs:

WATCH THE GOALS FROM QARABAG 0-3 ARSENAL HERE

Torreira 6.5/10 | Added some security to the midfield in front of the defence after coming on at half time.

Ozil 6/10 | Showed some nice touches at times but was a also a little sloppy in possession and wasted a great chance to shoot because it was on his right foot.

Lacazette 6/10 | On for the last 15 minutes and set up the Guendouzi goal.