Myles Lewis-Skelly stuns, Gabriel Martinelli stinks – Arsenal ratings in loss v PSG
Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed whilst Gabriel Martinelli was hopeless in Arsenal’s disappointing 1-0 loss to PSG.
With the build-up to the meeting between the two clubs being dominated by both PSG and Arsenal slashing each other’s ticketing allowances, this was always going to be a feisty affair.
Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring in the fourth minute, silencing a raucous Emirates with his clinical finish.
Both teams then had penalty shouts denied by the card-happy referee Slavko Vincic, before Mikel Merino‘s equaliser at the start of the second half was ruled out by VAR.
Following the goal, the story of the second half was wasted opportunities for PSG and Arsenal were fortuitous to only lose 1-0.
Mikel Arteta will now have just over a week to plan his revenge with the Parisians proving a monumental stumbling block in the Gunners’ journey to a first Champions League final since 2006.
Arsenal lucky to only lose 1-0 to wasteful PSG
David Raya – 5
Raya was dismal in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, and whilst the Spaniard could do little for Dembele’s opener, the former Brentford man hardly instils confidence in his back line.
Jurrien Timber (off for White 83′) – 4
Torn to shreds. The Dutchman has been a staple of Arsenal’s dominant back-line this season, but Kvaratskhelia proved too good for Timber to deal with.
William Saliba – 6
Saliba did his best to marshal the Gunners’ back line and whilst only conceding one to PSG is an accomplishment in its own right, it could have been several more.
Jakub Kiwior loses head-to-head against Ousmane Dembele
Jakub Kiwior – 5
Kiwior has been immense as Gabriel Magalhaes’ replacement, and whilst the Polish defender distributed the ball well against the Parisians, Dembele had the better of the centre-back all night long.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 8 – Player of the Match
Battler. Consistently finds a way to involve himself in the action. Desire Doue is one of Europe’s most revered young talents, but Lewis-Skelly dealt with the French winger with ease.
Martin Odegaard (off for Nwaneri 90′) – 4
Odegaard’s performances have concerned Arsenal staff recently, and once again his impact was limited and his passing was wayward.
Declan Rice – 7
A touch of class. Whilst his fellow midfielders were chasing shadows, Rice was single-handedly creating chances for his attackers. An admirable effort from Arsenal’s best player this season.
Mikel Merino – 5
Definitely a striker. Put back in his more comfortable position against the Parisians, the Spaniard’s only impact came when he found himself further up the pitch and scored with a header. VAR then chalked off the effort but Merino may actually be a striker, disguised as a midfielder.
Bukaya Saka endures frustrating evening for Arsenal vs PSG
Bukayo Saka – 4
Saka suffered an injury scare against Ipswich, and the winger struggled to get involved in the action and was booked for kicking the ball away after a soft foul on Nuno Mendes. A frustrating night for Arsenal’s talisman.
Leandro Trossard – 3
Not the man for the moment. The Belgian forward impressed in the 2-2 draw with Palace leading up to this game, but when it mattered most, the 30-year-old disappeared for Arteta’s side.
Gabriel Martinelli – 2
Maddeningly inconsistent. Martinelli has ebbed between stunning performances and being utterly absent for his side since returning from injury. This game was the latter. Blazed over his only chance and lacked composure throughout.
Substitutes
Ben White (on for Timber 83′) – 6
Brought on late and dealt well with Bradley Barcola, but could not contribute as much as he would have liked going forward.
Ethan Nwaneri (on for Odegaard 90′) – N/A
Only on the pitch for five minutes, but showed some nice touches. Will definitely play a more significant role in the second-leg.