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Home   >   Match   >   [Player ratings] Arsenal 3-0 Dundalk: Willock & Nelson impress for Gunners

[Player ratings] Arsenal 3-0 Dundalk: Willock & Nelson impress for Gunners

By on October 30, 2020

joe willock arsenal

Arsenal made it two wins from two games in Group B of the Europa League after easing to a 3-0 win over Dundalk at the Emirates on Thursday night.

After a slow start we finally broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute when Eddie Nketiah pounced on a mistake from the Dundalk goalkeeper following a corner to poke home from close range for 1-0.

Arsenal quickly doubled their lead when Joe Willock showed a great touch and finish to fire into the roof of the net following a slick break just before half time.

Nicolas Pepe then scored a wonderful goal to make it 3-0 when he curled into the top corner from the edge of the area with his right foot. Arsenal eased through the remainder of the game to seal a comfortable 3-0 win and maintain our 100% record in Group B.

Here are my ratings:

Runarsson  5/10 | A simple debut for the goalkeeper. Claimed a couple of crosses but very little serious work to do.

Cedric  6/10 | Got ninety minutes under his belt and did his best during a solid display. But still looks a limited player and he doesn’t offer nearly as much as Bellerin down the right.

Mustafi  6/10 | No problems for the German. Walk in the park against the Irish minnows.

Kolasinac  6/10 | A solid performance from him playing at centre-back. Stuck to the task like a pro and didn’t put a foot wrong – albeit against limited opposition.

Maitland-Niles  6/10 | Decent shift on the left flank. Not really involved in the early stages but improved as the game went on when space opened up.

Willock  8/10 | Terrific performance. Scored a lovely goal to make it 2-0 after a good touch and finish. Showed great feet on a number of occasions and was a real danger with his runs into the box. Much better.

Reiss Nelson Arsenal

Elneny  5/10 | A little wasteful at times and didn’t really offer much against a poor side. Just did the basics.

Xhaka  6/10 | A decent outing from the skipper. Played in defence early on but moved into the defensive midfield role and dictated the pace of the game.

Pepe  7.5/10 | Always a threat when he saw the ball and scored a superb strike after curling into the top corner from the edge of the box with his right foot! Just feel he needs to be more direct at times.

Nketiah  7/10 | Missed a great chance to open the scoring in the 35th minute when he poked wide from 6 yards out but got his goal minutes later when he took advantage of an error from the goalkeeper following a corner.

Nelson  8/10 | Very lively throughout. Always positive with the ball, running at the defence and getting into dangerous situations. Went close with a couple of shots but end product wasn’t there.

Subs:

Willian   5/10 | A few bright moments but good to get some minutes ahead of Man Utd.

Ceballos   5/10 | No real effect on a match that was already won when he came on.

Tierney   5/10 | Had a couple of speculative shots.

Balogun  6/10 | Great to see the youngster making his debut. A few decent touches and good movement in the box.

One Comment

  1. Gunnerpete

    October 30, 2020 at 12:05 pm

    I look forward to the day when Saka, Nelson, Balogun and Auba are playing up front. with Pepe and willian as subs.
    I think also its near time that Smith Rowe is played alongside Partey and Chambers. Interesting?