Player ratings as late goal denies Gunners advantage

A late Tomas Holes purpose denied Arsenal a slender lead on the midway level of their Europa League quarter-final tie with Slavia Prague on Thursday night time, with Mikel Arteta’s facet compelled to accept a 1-1 draw.

A turgid first half by no means actually appeared like sparking into life, with Bukayo Saka’s left-footed effort that drifted harmlessly large of the submit the closest both facet got here to breaking the impasse.

The Gunners got here inside inches of taking the lead early within the second half as Willian whipped a free-kick over the wall and clattered the surface of the submit, earlier than Alexandre Lacazette did likewise when it virtually appeared simpler to attain having been afforded the liberty of the Slavia half.

With quarter-hour remaining Areta referred to as for the cavalry with Nicolas Pepe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gabriel Martinelli all being launched, and the transfer very almost paid off as Aubameyang’s stole a yard within the Slavia field earlier than firing large of the goal.

Simply as the sport appeared like crawling in direction of a boring draw, Pepe turned on the afterburners to beat his man earlier than producing a stunning chip over Ondrej Kolar handy Arsenal the lead.

Nonetheless, there was a late sting within the tail as Slavia swung a nook into the center and Holes stole in on the again submit to move residence to make the rating 1-1.

That is the match highlights carried out with, now to these all necessary Arsenal participant scores…

Bernd Leno (GK) – 6/10 – Given little or no to do till stoppage time when he produced a wise front-post save. Little he may do concerning the Slavia equaliser.

Hector Bellerin (RB) – 6/10 – Discovered himself in an excellent place on the Arsenal proper on numerous events however simply could not discover any actual high quality.

Rob Holding (CB) – 5/10 – A few unfastened balls into midfield and simply appeared a little bit uncomfortable every time the guests surged ahead.

Gabriel (CB) – 7/10 – Was dominant within the air and helped repel nearly every part Slavia threw into the field.

Cedric Soares (LB) – 5/10 – The previous Southampton man is actually simply plugging a niche. Seemed shaky and his surprising clearance within the second half very almost led to a Slavia purpose.

Thomas Partey (CM) – 4/10 – Completely nameless. The one time he did something of notice was when he determined to play harmful passes throughout his personal field.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 8/10 – Carried the battle for the house facet (we all know!). Did not cease hassling the Slavia backline all night and gave his every part for the crew (we all know!).

Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – 6/10 – Restored to the beginning XI instead of Actual Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard. Was busy all through however simply could not discover a little bit of magic to unlock the guests’ backline earlier than being withdrawn.

Willian (RW) – 5/10 – Struck the body of the purpose with a wise free-kick early within the second half. Did little or no else and was withdrawn with 20 minutes to play.

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – 5/10 – Seemed odds on to open the scoring with the complete Slavia half to himself, but by some means managed to hit the submit.

Bukayo Saka (LW) – 6/10 – Most popular to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the left. The liveliest of the entrance three however spurned a few respectable alternatives early on.

Right here comes Gabi…

? Martinelli
↩️ Willian

? 0-0 ⚫️ (73)

? #UEL pic.twitter.com/Mv7JFN0Ax1

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 8, 2021

Gabriel Martinelli (RW) – 6/10

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – 7/10 – Injected some life into the sport and grabbed himself an help shortly after arriving.

Mohamed Elneny (CM) – 6/10

Nicolas Pepe (LW) – 7/10 – Good burst of tempo and deft end handy Arsenal the lead.

Daniel Ceballos (CM) – N/A