Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Nketiah sees red, Arsenal rue missed chances

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Tuesday, 07 July 2020 16:18

Arsenal suffered a second-half collapse at the Emirates as they drew 1-1 with Leicester City in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got Mikel Arteta's men off to a flying start after just 20 minutes, turning the ball home following a strong Bukayo Saka run and pass. They held that lead until Jamie Vardy poked home a late goal to salvage a point for Leicester, with the Gunners dropping off substantially after Eddie Nketiah was sent off with a straight red on 75 minutes for a lunging tackle on James Justin.

- ESPN+: Stream ESPN FC TV daily and 30 for 30: Soccer Stories
- What did you miss? The latest from Europe's top leagues

Positives

You're always going to get slick passing when Arsenal are at home and this was no different. They found some nice openings behind the full-backs and exploited them at will, with the key difference being their overwhelming speed once they'd found that killer through ball. As the game wore on, though, they were far more patient, allowing them to wear away at any momentum Leicester created.

Negatives

At times in the first half they were really stuck in their final third with the Foxes pushing them back, and as the second half went on you could feel them retract slightly, allowing Leicester more time on the ball in the process. Whenever the visitors tried to pull them down the wing they often committed far too many men to the cause -- which, naturally, created an awful lot of space.

Nketiah's red card, coming just four minutes after he came on, was a crushing blow as Arsenal conceded late and thus missed a chance to climb back into the race for Champions League football.

Manager rating out of 10

7 -- Mikel Arteta took a risk in starting two centre-backs that are prone to making mistakes, and in the end, it came back to bite him. He also put significant trust in a strong front three with some solid cover down the flanks. Defensively speaking, you can really see the work he's been putting in with his side -- it's just a shame the hard work was undone late in the game once they had gone down to 10 men. The Spaniard's clear direction and constant communication will be welcomed at a club like Arsenal, and his patience in making substitutions will be another good sign heading into the final stretch of the campaign.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Emiliano Martinez, 7 -- He wants to make the starting spot his own, and he's doing just that. From his confidence in coming off the line to two important saves against Kelechi Iheanacho, this was another stellar showing.

DF Shkodran Mustafi, 5 -- The controversial defender was strong in the air and looked more assured than he has in a long time. His effectiveness, though, wore off in a big way as he failed to clear the ball for Leicester's equaliser.

DF David Luiz, 6 -- From an instinctive standpoint he was on the money, but when given extended time to make a decision, the Brazilian often second guesses himself.

DF Sead Kolasinac, 6 -- After slotting into a makeshift defensive midfield role, he was assertive and powerful, but once again, started to drift into reckless territory once Arsenal's lead evaporated.

DF Hector Bellerin, 5 -- Even the simplest tasks were a problem for the former Barcelona man, with his crossing and overall pace hindering Arsenal going forward.

DF Kieran Tierney, 7 -- The ex-Celtic star thrives when he's put into high-pressure situations, and in addition to being strong on the overlap, he was tireless with his work at the back.

MF Dani Ceballos, 8 -- The in-form midfielder played a perfect ball through to Saka for Arsenal's only goal of the game and, generally speaking, produced a slick and concise performance in the middle of the park.

MF Granit Xhaka, 6 -- He's always a problem when he is able to command the midfield, but after being caught on the ball a few times, he needs to improve his communication with Ceballos.

FW Bukayo Saka, 8 -- He showed great feet and superb intelligence on the ball, with his assist for Aubameyang being nothing short of picturesque.

FW Alexandre Lacazette, 6 -- The Frenchman worked hard and even dropped deep to try and make things happen, but questionable finishing and inconsistencies in his delivery didn't help his cause tonight.

FW Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 7 -- It was a quiet day at the office for Auba aside from the most important contribution of all -- scoring Arsenal's opener after yet another example of his world-class positioning and composure.

Substitutes

DF Ainsley Maitland-Niles, N/R -- Helped to burn a few minutes in injury time as the hosts attempted to hold onto a point.

MF Joe Willock, 5 -- He went missing after being brought on, failing to make any kind of substantial impact.

MF Lucas Torreira, N/R -- He steadied the ship slightly but couldn't carry the midfield on his back against Leicester's late surge.

FW Eddie Nketiah, N/R -- It was the definition of a nightmare cameo for the youngster as he was sent off for a dangerous challenge just minutes after coming onto the pitch.

Read 1039 times

Soccer

Mo Salah glum on Liverpool future: 'More out than in'

Mo Salah glum on Liverpool future: 'More out than in'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMohamed Salah has said he is yet to receive a formal contract offer...

Galaxy hit 6 to rout Loons; Sounders next in West

Galaxy hit 6 to rout Loons; Sounders next in West

Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic each scored twice -- with one goal in each half -- a...

Amorim: United set for long period of suffering

Amorim: United set for long period of suffering

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsRúben Amorim said Manchester United will have to "suffer for a long...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams sustained season-ending te...

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Baseball

Woodward returns to Dodgers as first-base coach

Woodward returns to Dodgers as first-base coach

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- Chris Woodward has been named first-base coach by th...

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

EmailPrintRico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major-league-best...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated