An excellent (if not totally expected) 11th win in a row at a very difficult venue. The Gunners are definitely playing with more team spirit whoever is actually on the pitch. Full marks to the team as a whole, but here are my individual ratings:
Leno 7
He looks better every time he plays. Will Cech come back for Palace game?
Lichtsteiner 6
I like him. He’s a fighter. Can’t wait to see him with a run of games under his belt
Sokratis 6
Another fighter. Lucky to get away with one incident though
Holding 7
Another one that seems to improve every time. Forcing his way into the starting line-up
Xhaka 7
A decent game again although out of position. Another one greatly improved under Emery
Guendouzi 8
His best performance in an Arsenal shirt in my opinion. Keep it up Matteo!
Elneny 5
It looks like he only played to give Torreira a rest. Hardly worth rating to be honest
Ramsey 6
Still looks out of sorts to me. He has lost something, maybe his confidence?
Mkhitaryan 6
Much better in second half but hardly influential
Aubameyang 7
Did well and tried very hard. Teamed up well with Welbeck
Welbeck 8
Match winner and unlucky to have one disallowed. Give the man a new contract!
Subs:
Torreira 7
We always look better when Lucas is on the pitch!
Lacazette N/A
Iwobi N/A
A few players I thought we slightly under par but as a team performance we did the business and came away with our first win in portual for the first time for that reason alone I don’t want to lambast any particular player
It brings me me joy this season to see us go away from home and pick up the points
The boss is doing a grand job and the boys are responding
Onwards and upwards
Bally,
The commentator kept going on about the fact we’d never previously won in Portugal, however on reflection I can only remember us playing twice there in European competition. The first time was a 0-0 draw against Sporting in 1970 when we won the second leg 3-0 and went on to win the Inter Cities Fairs Cup (EUFA Cup) and the second time against Benfica in, I think 1992 when George Graham was in charge, a game I attended, in the old magnificent Stadium of Light. I might be wrong but can anyone tell me if we played at any other time in European competition.
Kenny -We have played Porto Three times I believe.Ive certainly been there twice.Also Brada we have played.
The Stadium Of Light game was in 1991-92 season.We drew 1-1 over there (great Stadium I agree) but lost 1-3 at Highbury in the second leg after extra time.Sven Gorman Erickson was the Benfica Manager.Stephan Swharz played for them and run the game in Lisbon.GG bought him in 94-95 season.Memories mate
Thanks Phil for correcting me, I had a feeling you’d know.
Guendouzi 19, and full of of skill and vision. He’s gonna be world class. And Torreira. Small, compact and drives the team forward. Bit early ye,t but man I hope this is a sign of good things to come
Guendouzi also won many headers in midfield. In my opinion, he is Arsenal’s best buy in this season
Torreira’s ball control, combative and skills make him a good candidate to replace Cazorla
Welbeck-Lacazette seemed to be a better tandem than Welbeck-Aubameyang. Welbeck always worked hard for the team and he was Arsenal’s best player in Lisbon
There were a few players that didn’t have a particularly good game imo, but at the end of the day we came away with the 3 points & are top of the group!! Spot on!
Dat guy Welbz was MOTM for me.. he took both of his goals really well, just a shame they disallowed one!!
Hopefully Arsenal would give him a new contract. He is good in the air, versatile and can help Arsenal with the English quota
I hope so!
Welbz man of the match, Elneny’s score should be swapped with Lichtsteiner who has really disappointed me. Holding and Sokratis played well and for me they both deserved another mark up. Miki and Xhaka scores should be reversed. Otherwise agree with the ratings ?
Torriera, what a joy it is to watch someone, who, enjoys the gritty, the physical, the fight and the bite. He is sorely missed, even in the short spells, waiting on the sidelines. Love this player, am sure as, do us all. Welbeck, for a third choice CF, or a second choice wide-man, he looks the business thus far.
What a beast he is!! Love him!!
Guendouzi is going to be to arsenal what Wilshire was supposed to be
Torreira may end up being the buy of the season. Guedouzi is showing great promise; however he needs to work on his assing weight and accuracy. Xhaka showed his versatility and the back four played well defensively overall, which is what you require away from home in Europe.
In attack Arsenal lacked creativity in mid field without Ozil. Ramsey has apparently gone to the board asking for clarification of his contract situation. He wants to know why it was taken off the table; maybe he should look at his demands. His performance against Sporting Lisbon as captain was underwelming.
Welbeck was excellent; however Aubameyang was not as clinical as usual.
“passing weight and accuracy”