Arsenal ratings: Lewis-Skelly gets standing ovation after Champions League debut but Merino looks heavy and slow

BUKAYO SAKA scored twice as Arsenal beat Monaco 3-0 in the Champions League.

The Gunners missed a number of big chances to close out the game in the first half, with Gabriel Jesus leaving his shooting boots at home.

But Saka and a Thilo Kehrer own goal secured a crucial three points to strengthen Arsenal's grip on a top eight finish.

Here's how SunSport rated the players' performances.

DAVID RAYA – 7/10

Rarely bothered throughout the match, but did what he had to do.

Commander in the box, and quite good in terms of distribution, with only a few mistakes on that front.

THOMAS PARTEY – 6

A mixed bag from Partey tonight, with some nice passes creating dangerous attacks, and a few going wildly astray.

Not much trouble was caused by Monaco's left side.

FOOTBALL FREE BETTS AND SIGN UP DEALS

WILLEM SALIBA – 7

Solid on the back as usual. Always gives you a seven out of ten.

JAKUB KIWIOR – 7

An able deputy in Gabriel's absence, sharp on the ball and reliable off the ball. Just as good as Saliba next to him.

MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 9

Playing as a left back, Lewis-Skelly became the latest Hale End academy graduate to make his full Champions League debut against Monaco.

And what a debut it was! A sensational play to beat Monaco's press allowed him to place an inch-perfect ball into Jesus, who set up Saka for Arsenal's opener.

He received a standing ovation from the home fans when he left the field after 64 minutes.

DECLAN RICE – 7

He broke up the play nicely as he always does, often sliding inside to close down Monaco's attacks.

Not as threatening as we've seen him go forward before, but that wasn't his job tonight with Merino next to him.

A very, very good Premier League or Champions League number six.

MIKEL MERINO – 4

I was not moved.

Arsenal fans may be slightly disappointed by the Odegaard – Merino – Rice midfield, which had them giggling and kicking their feet, with the Spaniard not having much to offer in midfield.

Looked heavy and slow and was booked.

MARTIJN ODEGAARD ​​​​– 5

Not his usual elegant self in midfield for Arsenal.

Sadly let down by his end product tonight as he missed two big chances either side of half-time to double the lead.

GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 4

A threat down the left in the first half, he should have had an assist had it not been for Arsenal's number nine.

While he showed some bright sparks, overall his final product was not good enough.

BUKAYO SAKA – 8

In the right place at the right time, as he so often does, to open the scoring after a great ball across the penalty area from Jesus.

Reacted quickly to a goalkeeper error and finished in the far corner for what was his seventh Champions League home goal in seven Champions League home games – clinical.

He also added an assist to his tally as his shot at the death was turned in by Kai Havertz.

GABRIEL JESUS ​​– 5

Could have had a brace in the first half but for his lack of composure as he missed TWO huge 1v1 chances early in the game.

However, what he missed in finishing, he made up for with a quality assist to set up Saka for the opening goal.

SUBS:

LEANDRO TROSSARD (GABRIEL MARTINELLI, 64) – 5

Pretty much the same story as the man he replaced.

Lots of ball in dangerous areas, but couldn't do anything with it.

JORGINHO (DECLAN RICE, 64) – 6

A calming presence in Arsenal's midfield helped settle the ball when he stepped on it.

Nwaneri almost got an assist in extra time.

JURRIEN TIMBER (MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY, 64) – 6

He replaced the best player on the pitch and Arsenal's level did not drop much.

Not as good at advancing the ball as the Hale End graduate tonight.

KAI HAVERTZ (GABRIEL JESUS, 73) – 8

Puts enough pressure on the goalkeeper to force the mistake for Saka's second goal.

Debate whether he hit Arsenal's third of the night or not.

ETHAN NWANERI (MARTIN ODEGAARD, 79) – 5

Still a few good minutes left in the tank for the Arsenal star with a very bright future.

Some good touches to get the home fans excited.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *