Newcastle United vs Arsenal FC: Arsenal player ratings

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Arsenal’s English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles (L) vies with Newcastle United’s Scottish midfielder Matt Ritchie (R) during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, northeast England on August 11, 2019. – Arsenal won the game 1-0. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images) /

The first game in the Sunday schedule of the Premier League saw Newcastle take on Arsenal FC at St.James’ Park. Arsenal, who had an extremely promising transfer window were the favorites in this tie against a Newcastle side that had lost both their manager and best player to Chinese club Dalian Yifang.

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The first half of the affair turned out to be a drab one with both teams failing to create clear-cut chances. However, Arsenal managed to gain a foothold in the tie with Maitland-Niles robbing Jetro Willems of possession around the halfway line to assist Aubameyang for what would turn out to be the winner.

Though Newcastle poured men forward, they could not find an equalizer and thus they kicked-off their campaign with a loss. It was all joy however, for Unai Emery’s men who managed both an away win and an away clean sheet, things they have learned to cherish over the past two years. Without further ado, let us take a look at the player ratings for the men from North London:

Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno-6

Didn’t have a lot to do in a goalless first-half in which Arsenal dominated possession. However, he had his palms stung by a Jonjo Shelvey scorcher which he was alert enough to divert onto the post and out for a corner. Handled all the balls that Newcastle hooked into his box pretty well as they went in search of an equalizer. Kept a clean sheet.

Defense:

RB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles-9

The Arsenal academy graduate gave a good account of himself with surging runs down the right flank. He linked up well with Mkhitaryan and was always up for the fight. He capped off a fine outing with an assist for Aubameyang’s winner after nicking the ball of Willems.

RCB: Calum Chambers-6

The ex-Fulham loanee had a torrid start to the game and it seemed like Joelinton would have his way with him. Credit to his character, however as he grew into the game and put in a defensive shift and was quietly composed.

LCB: Sokratis Papastathopoulos-7

Sokratis led Arsenal towards their first away clean sheet in a long time with some strong and composed defending. He was the only one who seemed to be up to the task when Newcastle launched wave after wave of attacks during the initial phase of the game.

LB: Nacho Monreal-5

The Spaniard was solid defensively and passed the ball around efficiently as Arsenal dominated possession in the first half. His attacking contributions, however, left much to be desired with Monreal failing to record a single cross for the entirety of the game.

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