Smith Rowe Gets 9, Thomas With 8 | Arsenal Players Rated In Impressive Victory Vs Aston Villa

Arsenal entertained Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium earlier tonight as they looked to keep their good form going in the Premier League. The Gunners made a strong start to the contest as they took the lead in the 23rd minute courtesy of Thomas Partey’s glancing header. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a penalty saved in the first half injury-time but managed to score from the rebound which gave Mikel Arteta’s a 2-0 cushion at the half-time break.

Emile Smith Rowe killed the game off when he found the back of the net for Arsenal in the 56th minute. The Villans got a consolation goal in the 82nd minute when Jacob Ramsey got his name on the scoresheet with an excellent strike. The Gunners ended up winning the Premier League contest by a 3-1 scoreline in front of their home fans.

Let’s take a look at how each Arsenal player performed during the match against the Villans.

GK: Aaron Ramsdale – 6.5/10

The English goalie made a few solid saves but will be disappointed after conceding a late goal which ruined his hopes of a clean sheet.

RB: Takehiro Tomiyasu – 7/10

He won a couple of aerial duels and made several important clearances during the game.

CB: Ben White – 6.5/10

White cleared his lines when needed and even won the ball back a couple of times for his side. However, he won’t be pleased after allowing a goal in the latter stages of the game.

CB: Gabriel – 7/10

The Brazilian centre-back maintained a solid defensive shape at the back and deserves credit for keeping the Villa attackers frustrated for most of the game.

LB: Nuno Tavares – 7/10

Tavares did his fair share of defending and was quite lively in the opposition half.

RM: Bukayo Saka – 7/10

The English winger engineered some decent openings for others around him and was always willing to have a strike at goal.

CM: Albert Sambi Lokonga – 7/10

Lokonga controlled the midfield battle quite well and engineered a couple of meaningful chances in the final third. He got replaced in the 72nd minute.

CM: Thomas Partey – 8/10

He protected his backline with conviction and gave Arsenal the lead with a glancing header in the first half. He was also unfortunate to hit the post.

LM: Emile Smith Rowe – 9/10

Smith Rowe was by far the best player on the field tonight. He was a constant menace in the Villans’ half and has got a goal and an assist to show for his efforts.

ST: Alexandre Lacazette – 7/10

The French striker kept himself busy by setting up a few inviting chances for his teammates. However, he didn’t get too many sniffs at goal.

ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 7.5/10

The Gabon international was a bit wasteful with his finishing. He missed his penalty but scored from the rebound just before half-time. Aubameyang ended the game with an assist to his name as well.

Substitutes:

CAM: Martin Odegaard – 6/10

Odegaard had one bright moment in the game.

CM: Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6/10

His impact on the game was minimal.

ST: Gabriel Martinelli – N/A

He didn’t get enough minutes to warrant a rating.