Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United: Player ratings from the encounter | Premier League 2019-20

Arsenal cruised past Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates as the Gunners snapped their four-match losing streak at home to venture into the top half of the Premier League table.

The Gunners began sharply and immediately put the visitors under strife. Subsequently, they went ahead in the 8th minute when Nicolas Pepe pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area, before scuffing his shot past David de Gea.

The hosts kept pushing and probing for another goal and their endeavours were rewarded in the 42nd minute when Sokratis showed exemplary awareness in the box to thump home from close range.

United improved slightly after the break but they never really troubled Arsenal’s rear-guard, meaning that the home side saw out the game comfortably.

Here is a look at the player ratings from the match.

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Arsenal

Luiz was exceptional

Bernd Leno – 7

The German showcased a clean pair of hands whenever called upon and was also brave enough to throw himself in the line of fire, as embodied by his save against Rashford in stoppage time. He certainly lent weight to the notion that Sunday was just an aberration.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 7

The right-back has grown in stature in recent weeks and solidified his position with another adept performance. He ventured forward judiciously and kept Rashford quiet for the entirety of the encounter.

Sokartis – 8

Sokratis was colossal at the back and helped keep the likes of Martial and Rashford at bay. Showcased a turn of pace at times and was also a safe passing outlet, meaning that the hosts played out of the back adroitly. And, he capped off his display with the all-important second goal.

David Luiz – 8

The Brazilian has regularly portrayed a Jekyll & Hyde personality, although Arsenal were fortunate that he rose to the occasion on New Year’s Day. Luiz was exceptional at the back, marshalled his troops superbly and distributed the ball with aplomb. All-round performance from the centre-back. Man of the match.

Sead Kolasinac – 7

The Bosnian returned from injury and started shakily as he earned himself a yellow card and also misplaced a couple of passes. However, he grew into the game massively and became the Gunners’ most potent attacking weapon in the first half. He got in behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka numerous times and provided the cut-back that led to the opener.

Lucas Torreira – 8

The Uruguayan was immense in midfield and put in a tenacious display as he bit into challenges and constantly popped up to intercept dangerous attacking moves. Also, Torreira was quite tidy in possession and played his way out of tight areas expertly.

Granit Xhaka – 7.5

After missing the game against Chelsea, the Swiss returned to the starting line-up and formed a solid pivot with Torreira. He looked extremely composed on the ball and apart from an errant back-pass for Leno, he barely put a foot wrong. Selling him in January might not be the smartest move, one feels.

Nicolas Pepe – 7.5

Pepe was brilliant against United

The Ivorian was recalled into the starting line-up and he repaid Mikel Arteta’s faith with a sumptuous display. He got the opening goal after creating space in the box and tied Luke Shaw in knots at times. He also hit the post with a wonderful curling left-footed effort.

Mesut Ozil – 7.5

Mesut Ozil has endured quite a steep fall from grace over the past couple of seasons and looked a disinterested player a month or so ago. Yet, somehow, Arteta has managed to reinvigorate the German, meaning that the play-maker put in another brilliant display in midfield. He linked up play well and also fulfilled his defensive duties. And, that last part alone gets him an extra point.

Alexandre Lacazette – 8

The Frenchman has endured a slightly barren run over the past few months and on occasions, he lacked the conviction in front of goal against United too. However, across other areas of the pitch, he was simply outstanding as he held the ball up and expertly brought his teammates into play. Also, he tracked back diligently and was a vital cog of Arsenal’s pressing machine. And, he set up Sokratis’ goal with a delightful near-post header.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 6.5

The Gabonese ran himself to the ground much like his striking partner, although he was uncharacteristically also guilty of a touch of wastefulness in the final third. He spooned his volley over the bar after being set up by Pepe whereas he also failed to find Nelson in the dying moments of the game, after running clear of the defence.

Substitutes

Reiss Nelson – 5.5

The winger was introduced in Pepe’s stead but he failed to impact the game as much as the Ivorian. Nelson got into a couple of promising positions but wasn’t clinical enough to create anything substantial.

Bukayo Saka – 6

The youngster stepped up admirably and though United enjoyed a bit of joy down his flank, he ensured that they couldn’t carve out any clear-cut opportunities. Saka was also unlucky that he only managed to fire a tame shot at de Gea after an impressive run.

Matteo Guendouzi – N/A

The Frenchman was brought on to shore up the midfield and he stuck to his guns as Arsenal saw out the game.

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Manchester United

Manchester United slumped to another defeat

David de Gea – 5.5

The Spaniard wasn’t at fault for any of the goals and in truth, pulled off a magnificent save to deny Lacazette, before Sokratis smashed home the loose ball. However, he endured his customary unsteady moment when his clearance was charged down by Lacazette and Pepe hit the post from the resulting rebound.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 5.5

Wan-Bissaka has been one of United’s standout performers this season. However, on Wednesday, he too felt the effects of a rather dire United display. He allowed the likes of Aubameyang and Kolasinac too much space on the right and though he recovered after the restart, the game had already passed him by.

Harry Maguire – 4.5

Maguire was simply not at the races at the Emirates as he struggled against the pace and power of Aubameyang and Lacazette. Additionally, his distribution let him down and he repeatedly invited unwanted pressure by taking extra touches in his own half.

Victor Lindelof – 5

The Swedish defender was slightly better of the two central defenders, although he was also culpable of being caught square and static on occasions. Also, he allowed Lacazette to run past him to get the near-post flick for the second goal.

Luke Shaw – 4

The Englishman was run ragged in the first half as Pepe turned him inside out quite frequently. Additionally, he failed to pose the requisite threat in the opposing half, meaning that United considerably lacked width. Also, lost the Ivorian in the build-up to the goal.

Fred – 5

Fred was massively overrun in the first half as Arsenal dominated midfield and possession. The Brazilian was a tad more adventurous after the break but his poor display was summed up by a free-kick that nearly landed at Old Trafford.

Nemanja Matic – 4.5

The Serbian was brought back into the fold on Wednesday but he looked quite rusty in the middle third as the hosts’ midfielders swarmed all over him. In possession, Matic looked extremely lackadaisical and apart from one through-ball for Pereira, he often slowed down the visitors’ build-up.

Jesse Lingard - 3

The Englishman endured a tepid 2019, recording a grand total of 0 goals and assists in the league. His first game of 2020 wasn’t any different as he was anonymous throughout and barely crafted anything of note. The midfielder was deservedly hooked off just before the hour-mark.

Daniel James - 4

The winger started brightly and immediately forced Sead Kolasinac into a booking. Thereafter though, he failed to put the Bosnian under enough pressure and also allowed the latter to venture forward too easily. Certainly not his best performance in 2019-20.

Marcus Rashford – 4.5

Rashford (R) endured a frustrating evening

Rashford began the match extremely timidly and subsequently, failed to establish a foothold in the contest. Though he improved marginally after the break, he didn’t cause the problems many had expected him to, especially against a rather patchy Arsenal defence.

Anthony Martial – 5.5

Martial was United’s best attacking player, although that wasn’t too steep a task on the night. He tried his best to inspire a comeback but there wasn’t enough support around to really worry the hosts’ rear-guard.

Substitutes

Andreas Pereira – 5

The Brazilian fashioned a chance for himself when he was sent clear by Matic. However, he fluffed his lines and never made an impact thereafter as Solskjaer’s substitution failed to have the desired effect.

Mason Greenwood – 5.5

Greenwood looked to impose himself early and produced a couple of decent moments. However, he wasn’t accorded the requisite time and space to create a dent in Arsenal’s defence.

Juan Mata – N/A

The Spaniard came on in the final ten minutes and didn’t have enough time to weave his magic on the encounter.