Midfielders
Sambi Lokonga should’ve had an assist on Sunday afternoon. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Sambi Lokonga (CM) – 5.5/10 – It was a devastating pass from Lokonga that set Martinelli on his way for Arsenal’s disallowed opener. The Belgian grew into the contest, but he didn’t do a good job of protecting his defence. Also gave away possession which led to United’s second.
Granit Xhaka (CM) – 6.5/10 – Did an excellent job in ensuring his side circulated possession efficiently throughout and smartly rotated down the left to ensure Zinchenko could create infield. Another solid performance from the Swiss midfielder.
Martin Odegaard (CM) – 6.5/10 – The skipper operated handily from the right half-space and sought to probe United’s backline throughout. However, his finishing let him down in this one.
Continued on the next slide…
#MUNARS</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/04/man-united-3-1-arsenal-player-ratings-gunners-first-defeat/2/"https://t.co/HHfjVxLHHl">pic.twitter.com/HHfjVxLHHl
<p>— Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/04/man-united-3-1-arsenal-player-ratings-gunners-first-defeat/2/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1566468602731151363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 4, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>United then went ahead through debutant Antony before half-time, but Arsenal were the superior outfit and their dominance was eventually rewarded on the hour as Bukayo Saka tapped home. The hosts were a threat in transition, though, and the swiftest of breaks was rounded off by Marcus Rashford to restore United’s lead.</p>
<p>A triple-substitution from Mikel Arteta completely compromised the Gunners and they quickly fell two goals behind after Christian Eriksen broke free before squaring to Rashford who tapped home his second.</p>
<p>The Gunners probed until the last but they were unable to breach David De Gea’s goal again as the contest ended 3-1 in United’s favour.</p>
<p>Here are the Arsenal player ratings from Sunday’s defeat at Old Trafford</p>
<h2>Goalkeeper & Defenders</h2>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-129136" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/04/man-united-3-1-arsenal-player-ratings-gunners-first-defeat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1420768370.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1420768370.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1420768370-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Gabriel struggled in a high defensive line. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 6.5/10 –</strong> Barring one error (which he swiftly atoned for with a big save) Ramsdale was excellent in the build-up and his distribution out to the full-backs was particularly excellent. He wasn’t great one-vs-one, however.</p>
<p><strong>Ben White (RB) – 6.5/10 –</strong> Did okay and certainly wasn’t the reason why Arsenal conceded three times. Jadon Sancho was pretty quiet down United’s left and White did a fine job of supporting Saka going forward.</p>
<p><strong>William Saliba (CB) – 5.5/10 –</strong> It wasn’t great from Saliba for United’s opening two goals. His passivity forced Zinchenko to slide across for the opener and Rashford ran off him for United’s second.</p>
<p><strong>Gabriel (CB) – 5/10 –</strong> Gabriel’s unsuccessful gamble was a contributing factor to United taking the lead and he struggled to defend in a high line throughout. The hosts made him pay.</p>
<p><strong>Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – 7/10 –</strong> His technical security was off the charts. United couldn’t get near him and his positioning in the left half-space was particularly problematic for the hosts.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/04/man-united-3-1-arsenal-player-ratings-gunners-first-defeat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Midfielders </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Midfielders</h2>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-129135" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/04/man-united-3-1-arsenal-player-ratings-gunners-first-defeat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1420776897.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1420776897.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1420776897-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Sambi Lokonga should’ve had an assist on Sunday afternoon. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>Sambi Lokonga (CM) – 5.5/10 –</strong> It was a devastating pass from Lokonga that set Martinelli on his way for Arsenal’s disallowed opener. The Belgian grew into the contest, but he didn’t do a good job of protecting his defence. Also gave away possession which led to United’s second.</p>
<p><strong>Granit Xhaka (CM) – 6.5/10 –</strong> Did an excellent job in ensuring his side circulated possession efficiently throughout and smartly rotated down the left to ensure Zinchenko could create infield. Another solid performance from the Swiss midfielder.</p>
<p><strong>Martin Odegaard (CM) – 6.5/10 –</strong> The skipper operated handily from the right half-space and sought to probe United’s backline throughout. However, his finishing let him down in this one.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/04/man-united-3-1-arsenal-player-ratings-gunners-first-defeat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Forwards & Subs </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Forwards</h2>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-129134" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/04/man-united-3-1-arsenal-player-ratings-gunners-first-defeat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1420776712.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1420776712.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1420776712-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Bukayo Saka drew Arsenal level on the hour. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>Bukayo Saka (RW) – 7.5/10 –</strong> Would love to have seen Saka take on Tyrell Malacia one-v-one much more. He had his number. Nevertheless, this was a promising display from Arsenal’s starboy, who scored his first goal of the season.</p>
<p><strong>Gabriel Jesus (ST) – 8/10 –</strong> Absolutely sensational. Everything went through Jesus. He dominated United’s centre-backs and certainly didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.</p>
<p><strong>Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 6/10 –</strong> His ruled-out finish was excellent and he did pose a distinct threat one-vs-one up against Diogo Dalot. The Brazilian huffed and puffed without reward.</p>
<h2>Substitutes</h2>
<p><strong>Fabio Vieira – 7/10</strong></p>
<p><strong>Eddie Nketiah – 6/10</strong></p>
<p><strong>Emile Smith Rowe – 6/10 </strong></p>
<p><strong>Takehiro Tomiyasu – 6/10</strong></p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
