Arsenal extended their unbeaten streak to 21 games in all competitions this season with a narrow victory over Huddersfield Town at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners scored the only goal of the match in the 83rd minute via Lucas Torreira, which sealed all three points from the game for the north London club.
Unai Emery’s men started to put pressure on the visitors from the word go but were unable to get a goal to show for their efforts. Both Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette missed a couple of chances in the first half to put the match beyond the Terriers while the Frenchman was controversially adjudged offside when he scored in the 42nd minute. It was Torreira who came to the rescue for his side and clinched his second goal in three matches on the back of an impressive performance in the midfield.
Here is how the Arsenal players were rated from their win against Huddersfield Town.
Bernd Leno: 6
Had a rather quiet match with most of the action happening on the other end of the pitch.
Stephan Lichtsteiner: 6
Had a solid defensive outing as he made quite a few crucial blocks and tackles.
Shkodran Mustafi: 6
It comes as bad news for the Gunners as the German centre-back had to leave the pitch with a hamstring injury. Till then, he provided sufficient solidity to the backline.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos: 7
Won some balls in one-on-one situations against the opposition strikers and kept his side out of harm’s way.
Granit Xhaka: 8
Brilliant on the ball and off it as well. His ball control was exceptional, and his deliveries were pinpoint throughout the match. Created a lot of space with his excellent footwork in the midfield.
Hector Bellerin: 7
Looked equally good on the attack as well as in defence. Delivered a number of good balls into the danger area.
Lucas Torreira: 9
Another outstanding performance from the Uruguayan as the player made a number of crisp passes along with brilliant runs into the danger area to bamboozle the Huddersfield defence. His acrobatic effort to bring up the only goal of the match is one to be cherished by the Arsenal fans for a long time to come.
Mateo Guendouzi: 7
His pinpoint passing and timely interceptions were too good for the opposition players. Created a lot of space whenever he got the ball.
Sead Kolasinac: 6
Looked good while defending but could not make much of an impact while going into the attack.
Alexandre Lacazette: 6
Looked sharp on occasions and was unfortunate to have a goal disallowed in the first half. Wasted a golden opportunity to put his side into the lead.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang: 6
Was wasteful for most parts of the match but delivered the assist for Torreira’s winner.
Substitutes
Alex Iwobi: 7
Did well to keep the ball in control and tried to trick the opposition defence with his nimble footwork.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 7
Delivered some perfect balls in the opposition box to keep the Terriers on their toes throughout the match.
Nacho Monreal: 6
Had to play as a centre back after coming on for the injured Mustafi and did well in his new role.
