Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal: Player ratings as Emery picks up three points

RB: Hector Bellerin – 7/10

Hector Bellerin wasn’t caught out as much as many expected heading into the game. Granted, he didn’t get the help he would have wanted, but he coped okay by himself. He was able to get forward a lot, and in the advanced positions he excelled.

I don’t expect him to get the start in Arsenal’s Europa League opener on Thursday night, as this could be Emery’s chance to give Stephan Lichtsteiner a chance.

CB: Sokratis Papastathopoulos – 8/10

Particularly in the first half, the Greece international played very well. It was an open game, with both sides looking to attack, but Sokratis didn’t allow the Magpies much room to get through to Petr Cech. A vast improvement on his performances so far, which is just what Unai Emery would want!

CB: Shkodran Mustafi – 6/10

Mustafi wasn’t great. Luckily it wasn’t costly as the Newcastle attackers weren’t feeling up to the task, but he still should have done a lot better. Newcastle’s goal stemmed from his frailties, and he made these apparent from the get-go. Still, no need to be negative, Mustafi will be hard in training…

LB: Nacho Monreal – 6.5/10

Not quite as lively as he would have liked, but he was still positive. He didn’t have many problems come down his side, but when he did, he dealt with them timely and comfortably. Some Arsenal defenders don’t get the credit they deserve due to the club’s poor record, and Monreal is one of them.