David Raya – 7
Another game where Raya did very little but what he did do, he did well. Strong distribution throughout and was quick off his line where necessary. A few routine stops but was never really stretched.
Best moment:
Rushed off his line to head away when Athletic looked to counter dangerously following an Arsenal attack. He’s so quick and decisive in those situations. Exactly what you want from your keeper.
Jurrien Timber – 8
Another exemplary game from Timber. He just gets better and better. Had a few nice touches going forward, as his attacking game and relationship with Madueke continues to improve. Strong at the back as ever, the only time Athletic got in down his side was when his boot came off in the opposite corner flag, which much he locked down his side. Did brilliantly to nick possession from Williams to create the Eze chance.
Best moment:
Sumptuous early cross to find Gyokeres in the penalty area, which the big Swede probably should have done better with.
Cristhian Mosquera – 8
Another seems to improve game by game. The 21 year old did not even seem to notice the hostile atmosphere and the enorimity of the occasion. Totally unflappable in possession, gritty and determined in the tackle and just another impressive showing from a player that seems to be the talk of the town among all Arsenal fans at the moment.
Best moment: Showed great pace to close down Inaki Williams in a rare moment of threat in the second half from Athletic Club. He strolls around so confidently at times you forget how quick he is!! Seriously quick.
Gabriel – 7
Did Gabriel things! That’s the only way to describe it. Mosquera has come in and done so well but it must help playing alongside a stalwart like Gabriel who wore the captain’s armband proudly once again. Strong in the tackle, closed down space well, was aggressive in his pressing but a little slack in possession at times, include one poor pass inparticular towards the end of the half that Declain Rice blocked away for a corner. He seems to love it when we’re under pressure and alongside Mosquera, was one of our top performers during the opening stages when Athletic put it on us a bit.
Best moment: Not many eye catching moments but I liked how he stuck to his task when Inaki Williams tried to twist him inside out, even if the striker did get his shot away, Gabriel has handled the situation sufficiently well in a 1v1 to limt his chance to a half chance where Raya was always the heavy favourite.
Riccardo Calafiori – 7
A bit more reserved than usual from an attacking perspective but he still managed to rampage forward on occasion to good affect. Solid defensively with the Spaniards getting very little joy down his side of the pitch.
Best moment: A nice jinking run full of drive, strength and skill lead to a good chance down the right hand side.
Martin Zubimendi – 6
Probably his toughest game to date as he struggled to get a foothold early doors against the aggressive pressing of Athletic Club. Improved as the game wore on and begin to dictate the play a bit more as Arsenal pushed forward. Not a bad performance by any means as he played a key role in protecting the back four but definitely not as influential as against Forest at the weekend. Was left for dead by Berengeur in one of Athletic Club’s rare attacks in the first half in our right back position, with Timber out of position. Zubimendi’s lack of pace was exposed for the first time in an Arsenal shirt but thankfully Berengeur dragged his cross-shot wide of the goal.
Best moment: A few nice interceptions to break up play but nothing really eye catching. When you look at his stats after games he’s first on the vast majority of defensive and passing metrics but he does it with so little fuss it doesn’t stand out at the time.
Mikel Merino – 6
Preferred to Nwaneri in midfield with Odegaard missing again as Arteta went for steel and experience over youthful exuberance. Probably contributed a drab first half as we lacked the ability to bring the forwards into the game but the result speaks for itself and vindicates the Manager’s decision. Merino was strong in the tackle, worked his socks off and had some nice intricate play without ever really threatening the Athletic goal.
Best moment:
Nice ball over the top to set Gyokeres away for a chance that he probably should have done better with.
Declan Rice – 7
Seems to relish these big European nights. Covered every blade of grass without really excelling at either end of the pitch. One of those performances that may not have looked like much but if you took him out of the game, you’d really notice the difference.
Best moment: Important block at the end of the first half after Gabriel gave the ball away. Also loved his face when celebrating the second goal with his teammates as he dismissed claims there might have been a foul in the build up! So defiant!!
Noni Madueke – 8
As with his previous outings in an Arsenal shirt, he was the one play who looked to make things happen and was our most lively attacker throughout. Kept the Athletic defence on the back foot constantly with his direct running. Just never seems to check back and take the safe option. A few really threatening moments of note when he tried to set up Eze for his first Arsenal goal and also fashioned himself a decent chance that he may have used the wrong foot for. At the moment we’re still at the stage where his threat brings so much to the team that his lack of end product is not an issue. The scale will tip at some point though so a first goal or assist would be greatly appreciated at this point (and richly deserved!).
Best moment: Was so quick to pounce on Timber when back possession from Williams, to the point where he pretty much tackles Timber! So nearly created the opening goal from Eze but in truth I don’t think there was anymore he could do in that situation.
Viktor Gyokeres – 7
In front of goal it wasn’t his best night. The diving header from Timber’s cross should be a goal and I think he should do better with the header from a free kick in the second half as well. Strong running for the chance down his first inside left channel in the first half but a loose touch let the defender in. All that aside, I think this was his best game from a linkup perspective as he looked after the ball much better, drawing fouls at times and bring in teammates at others. It was always going to take time to gel but he seems to be getting found more and more and that will lead to goals more often than not.
Best moment: Strong hold up play to create a chance for Madueke down the right wing, as he pinned his defender, pushed him back before laying the ball into the path of the flying winger to chase.
Eberechi Eze – 5
Tough game as he cut an isolated figure for much of the game on the left hand side. Nearly opened the scoring from Madueke’s cutback but maybe just didn’t show quite enough conviction to get there ahead of the defender. Some nice touches here and there but at the moment he very much looks like a central player who is being asked to do a job on the wing. Hopefully that will change with time.
Best moment: Did well to find space in the box from Madueke’s cutback but was not able to apply the finishing touch.
Substitutes:
Leandro Trossard – 8
Fantastic cameo off the bench as he assisted the opener before poking home the second via a deflection. Came on centrally for Gyokeres and gave Arsenal a completely different option that Athletic Club just couldn’t work out how to deal with. Great intelligence to drop into the space and then flick the ball into the path of the onrushing Martinelli to chase down. Have we got our moody sub back?! Moody or not, the end product is there for all to see.
Best moment: Don’t usually do this for subs but the moments for both Trossard and Martinelli were so key, they absolutely deserve a mention. Scored the second with some nice movement and quick feet in the box but his best moment was definitely the assist.
Gabriel Martinelli – 9
A substitution of epic proportions as he scored within 36 seconds of his introduction to open the scoring in such an important game. That will have done Martinelli’s confidence the world of good and hopefully this will be a turning point for him this season as he’s struggled in the earlier games. Was already on his bike when Trossard received the ball and a mixture of raw pace and a lovely touch set him through on Unai Simon’s goal. Not the cleanest of finishes but they all count as one and this one counted for a lot! The confidence was then flowing through him which was evident as he destroyed his full back with pace and trickery to help himself to a brilliant assist in addition to his goal.
Best moment: Again, deserves a special mention due to the importance of his contributions. The goal and the assist were both filled with brilliant, pacey, powerful play as Martinelli rolled back the years to a certain extent but the pick of the two has to be the goal as he set Arsenal on their way to 3 valuable points.
Christian Norgaard – 6
Came on in stoppage time for his Arsenal and Champions League debut. Looked decent in his brief cameo but such a small sample size so I’m not getting carried away. Nice to see him finally step onto the pitch following his injury troubles.
Piero Hincapie – 6
Came on at the same time as Norgaard and barely touched the ball. Nice to see him make his Arsenal debut as well.