“He is becoming the Gunners chief creative force” – Full player ratings as Arsenal beat Olympiakos in Greece
In an uneventful night of football, Arsenal beat Olympiakos 0-1 in the Europa League.
The Gunners picked up a massive win away in Greece, keeping a third consecutive clean sheet.
Here’s how the players rated at the Karaiskakis Stadium:
Olympiakos
José Sa – 6 – Did what he had to do quite well, making some good saves. Couldn’t do anything about the goal.
Omar Elabdellaoui – 7 – A relentless display up and down the touch-line. Was a constant outlet in attack.
Ruben Semedo – 4 – A really impressive performance ruined by being slow to react to Bukayo Saka’s movement for Arsenal’s goal.
Ousseynou Ba – 7 – A team-high 3 clearances and 3 interceptions.
Konstantinos Tsimikas – 7 – A rock solid presence on the left (3 tackles and 3 clearances confirmed that). Prevented any real Arsenal incursions down his flank and it was telling that Aubameyang had to switch flanks.
Arsenal have kept three consecutive clean sheets across all competitions for the first time since April 2019.
Mikel is at the wheel. 😜 pic.twitter.com/nFIsDxc38P
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 20, 2020
Guilherme – 5 – Found himself vulnerable to Arsenal’s press, although he did create 2 chances.
Mohamed Camara – 6 – Rocketed more shots (3) than any of his team-mates but never even came close to troubling Leno.
Andreas Bouchalakis – 5 – Did well defensively, racking up 3 interceptions to halt Arsenal attacks.
Giorgios Masouras – 4 – Should have scored after five minutes when a superb Valbuena cross found him at the back-post. Didn’t get into the game after that and left the field with 15 to play.
Mathieu Valbuena – 8 – Stung the palms of Leno with a lovely left-footed volley early in the match and created a sitter for Masouras all in the first four minutes of the match. After that he was sensational. Had more touches than any Olympiakos player, created the most chances (2) for his side as well. Just supreme.
Youssef El-Arabi – 7 – Battling well, winning a colossal 9 aerial duels.
Substitutes:
Konstantinos Fortounis (for Bouchalakis 65′) – 6 – Really upped the tempo for Olympiakos.
Maxi Lovera (for Masouras 75′) – 5 – Didn’t change things.
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Arsenal
Bernd Leno – 7 – Dominated his area and made saves when called upon.
Sokratis – 6 – Couldn’t handle Olympiakos’ movement but worked gamely nonetheless. Rocketed a late header off the bar.
Shkodran Mustafi – 7 – Actually quite good at the back albeit some of Olympiakos’ movement completely bamboozled him. Still, had a team-high 3 tackles.
David Luiz – 8 – An outstanding performance (no seriously) as he organised Arsenal’s back-line and helped them earn a creditable away clean sheet. Made more clearances (4) than anyone else on the pitch.
Bukayo Saka – 8 – Another outstanding display from the youngster. Saka was solid at the back (a team-high 3 interceptions) and pushed forward well. Picked up a massive assist with a delicious cross for Lacazette’s game-winner. His second assist in a row and ninth of the season. He is becoming the Gunners chief creative force.
"He is no flash in the pan, this kid is going to be something very special indeed."@muhammadbutt looks at how Bukayo Saka solves two tactical problems for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.https://t.co/gWcFTSgIQF
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 20, 2020
Matteo Guendouzi – 5 – Worked hard but the game mostly passed him by.
Granit Xhaka – 7 – Another solid outing for the Swiss midfielder. Attacked and defended well, creating more chances (3) than any of his team-mates.
Joe Willock – 6 – An impressive first 30 minutes from Willock, the youngster was buzzing with energy and looked really bright. Faded later and was subsequently subbed.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 6 – An understated evening from Aubameyang. Played reasonably well and had a part to play in the goal.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6 – Bright and sharp from the off. A delightful backheel almost set Arsenal away. Faded badly, though.
Alexandre Lacazette – 8 – Some lovely passing and movement, but his finishing was rusty for most of the match. Until late on, that is, when he stepped forward and slapped home Bukayo Saka’s lovely cross. Came to life after that and could have scored again with a belting shot.
Substitutes:
Dani Ceballos (for Martinelli 58′) – 7 – Completely changed the momentum of the game, taking it away from the hosts and giving it to the Gunners by constantly driving the ball forward.
Nicolas Pepe (for Willock 75′) – 6 – Looked dangerous out wide, darting at Olympiakos whenever he got the chance and sustaining attacks.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (for Sokratis 90’+2) – n/a – Came on late.
