Basel
Tomas Vaclik: 8/10
Vaclik was by far Basel’s best player. The Czech keeper made save after save over the course of the match, in an effort to keep his side in the game.
He was a commanding presence from set pieces, coming off his line to claim the ball without hesitation. It was his heroic efforts that kept the score down to just two.
Adama Traore: 6/10
Traore had an extremely difficult night and spent a majority of his time trying to keep tabs on Hector Bellerin and Theo Walcott and was completely unable to influence the game going forwards.
The 26-year-old, however, did make a couple of telling contributions, most notably a desperate block off a Hector Bellerin effort which could have resulted in a goal.
Eder Balanta: 7/10
Balanta had a decent game in the centre of defense and was responsible for breaking down a number of Arsenal attacks in the final third. Despite conceding a number of chances, Balanta made a total of 5 tackles, 4 interceptions and 3 clearances, by far the most by a white shirt.
Marek Suchy: 4/10
The Basel skipper had a night to forget as he was run ragged by the Arsenal attack. Constantly chasing shadows, Suchy also earned a yellow card early in the first half which limited his contributions.
He was often caught out of position and let Walcott run off the back of him for the opening goal.
Michael Lang: 5/10
Lang was at fault for Arsenal's opener, as he was caught on his heels as Sanchez burst beyond him to deliver the ball into the box. Lang simply had no answer for Sanchez's brilliance throughout the game and made absolutely no impact on the game for the whole 90 minutes.
Birkir Bjanarson: 6/10
Bjanarson is one of the few Basel players who had a decent night. He was extremely unlucky in the second half not to have a goal against his name after he saw his long range effort kept out by the Ospina’s fingertips.
Bjanarson also provided a number of key passes in behind the Arsenal defence for Doumbia to chase, although nothing came of it in the end.
Alexander Fransson: 5/10
Another disappointing performance by Fransson as he struggled to make any inroads in the Arsenal defence. Fransson had a total of 0 interceptions, 0 blocks, 0 dribbles, 0 key passes, 0 tackles and 0 shots in what was an extremely disappointing night for him.
Renato Steffen: 5/10
Along with Taulant Xhaka, Steffen was one of Basel’s worst players on the night. His two fouls were his only moments in the centre of the action. Definitely a night to forget for the 24-year-old midfielder.
Taulant Xhaka: 4/10
Taulant, much like brother Granit, had a game to forget. Playing as a centre back, he was often caught in possession and his only telling contribution in the 90 minutes came when he made an important interception off an Alexis Sanchez square pass.
Luca Zuffi: 7/10
Zuffi was arguably Basel’s second best player on the night after Vaclik of course. Coming up against the likes of Granit Xhaka, Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla is no easy task, but the 26-year-old was not intimidated in the least and kept his cool throughout the game.
Zuffi completed 2 dribbles, the most by any Basel player and worked his socks off for his side before being replaced in the 70th minute by Elyounoussi.
Seydou Doumbia: 5/10
Columbia cut a lonely figure on the night and was easily dealt with by Mustafi and Koscielny. The Ivorian did try a couple of head on runs at the pair but was unsuccessful in his attempts.
Kept quiet for almost the entire game, he was replaced by Andraz Sporar just before the hour mark.
Substitutes:
Andraz Sporar: 6/10
Sporar was more of a threat than Doumbia after coming on in the 57th minute and had a golden opportunity to get his name on the scoresheet. His effort was, however, saved by Ospina.
Sporar, unlike Doumbia, led Basel’s attack efficiently and the 22-year-old constantly pressed the Arsenal defenders resulting in a couple of nervy clearances late on.
Mohamed Elyounoussi: 5/10
Elyounoussi was thrown on as Basel searched for a way back into the game but the Norwegian’s only action in the game was when he received a yellow card for bringing down Alexis Sanchez right at the edge of the box.
Elyounoussi would be thanking his lucky stars that the contact was not a few more yards in ahead as it would have resulted in a penalty and probably a sending off.
Matias Delgado: 6/10
Delgado was expected to start the game but instead came on only in the 78th minute. Despite being brought on to influence the game offensively, Delgado’s key contributions came in a defensive role as he made two important interceptions to deny the Gunners great goal scoring opportunities.
