Player Ratings: Arsenal vs Nottingham Forrest

We will assign player ratings out of 10, starting with the goalkeeper and progressing to the striker. Additionally, we will rate the subs, manager, and overall team performance.

STARTERS

David Raya (GK) - 7/10

Raya made his 100th appearance for Arsenal, and had a good performance without doing anything that stood out on the day. Part of that was Forest’s lack of shots on goal (1), which was more of an attempt that ricocheted off of Wood than a true shot on goal and the other was how good the defensive unit in front of him was. Still, he made himself available as a supporting passing option for the defense and didn’t make any mistakes that put the defense in danger. A solid game overall.

Jurrien Timber (RB) - 8/10

I think Timber is our most underrated player. He consistently gives seven to eight out of ten performances both attacking and defending and today was no different. He locked up the right side and linked up well with Madueke on the right in attack. He inverted and drove forward with the ball several times to fuel transition before laying it on to a midfielder or winger and played an overall intelligent game in all aspects. Such a versatile player, I’m never concerned about him contributing when he’s on the pitch.

Christian Mosquera (CB) - 9/10

Starting his first Arsenal match at home in place of Saliba could not have been easy, but he made it look like just another match. He was composed, aggressive in anticipating the movements of the forwards, and really strong in his tackles. He always was the primary passing outlets from the defense, like Salaiba typically is, which he handled maturely. He will continue to get better at reading passing angles as he receives more game time, but at 21 years old, I thought he had an excellent game and was right up at the top of the list for me for man of the match. This could also be seen as a break out performance for him that he should take a lot of confidence in moving forward.

Gabriel Magalhães (CB) - 7/10

Big Gabi had a solid match paired with Mosquera and was the anchor in defense. He passed the ball well out of the back, driver forward a few times to spark an attack and made a few good blocks in the defensive line. Forrest didn’t provide much threat so he didn’t have much to do, but he was the typical consistent solid leader as ever.

Ricardo Califiori (LB) - 8/10

He's started the season really strongly with standout performances in every game and today was no different. I know he is listed as a leftback, but he may have the most freedom to roam and move anywhere on the pitch than anyone in the squad. He occupied the left wing allowing Eze to cut in often, he played centrally as an additional defensive midfielder, he supplied the over the top pass for the pre-assist to Eze for Gyokereses goal, he crashes into the box for shooting opportunities, he literally roams the pitch, but always seems to be in the right position to be effective. He's clearly a very intelligent player and one Arteta trusts to give such freedom.

Martin Zubimendi (DM) - 9/10

If you product three “first time ever” stats in a match then surely you end with a very high mark. Zubimendi had another excellent game scoring his first goal for Arsenal, first professional goal from outside the box, and it was the first time he has ever scored two goals in a match. I won’t expect too many more goals from him this season, but needless to say he has settled in and hit the ground running at Arsenal.

Martin Odegaard (AM) - 5/10

Came off in the 18th minute with what looked to be a reinjured shoulder, so not a lot of grade him one. Didn’t do anything wrong or great before that so a standard five grade.

Mikel Merino (AM) - 7/10

Merino was lovely through the match and had a great point blank opportunity to score in the 6th minute, he should have scored, but shot it straight at the keeper. He linked up well with Zubimendi, played great one two’s with Eze, and made smart passes throughout the match. He’s another very intelligent player that doesn’t have all the physical gifts that Rice has but understands his role, knows where to be, and when to make the right pass.

Eberechi Eze (LW) - 8/10

Eze was active throughout, thought starts a slow in the first 25 minutes or so as most of the attacking play was going down the right hand side. It was clear early on that he was going to be playing the LW role much differently than Martinelli typically does, often cutting in on his right foot to make plays. He got a couple early shots off that were blocked by the defense, but it still showed the type of player he is and the much needed increased shooting volume that he will bring to the team. His one touch assist for Gyokereses goal was 90% about his intelligence to know where to be and what to do when he received the ball from Califiori, which brought his rating up to an eight. I see so much more to come as he learns his teammates better.

Noni Madueke (RW) - 9/10

My man of the match as I previously mentioned, I thought he was exceptional with the energy he played with the relentlessness that he attacked with most of the game. It was really interesting to see how from the start of the game there was a clear plan to priorities him as the main attacking outlet, despite the more experienced Eze starting on the left wing. Whether that was due to tactical instruction as they saw a weakness on his side or not, he took on the challenge and thrived.

Viktor Gyokeres (ST) - 7/10

Gyokeres has somewhat of quiet game in terms of attacking play, especially in the first half, but he is learning to press better and beginning to gel better with his teammates. There were a few moments where he has smart touches of the ball, layout off to teammates, something that Arteta will no doubt be happy to see translating to games. He have a very composed finish for the goal which was his third of the season, and hit the bar on another shot, so the aggression when he does get opportunities is still there. A solid game for a player that will continue to get better.

SUBS

Ethan Nwaneri (AM) - 8/10

I thought Nwaneri was exceptional when he came on for Odegaard. I prefer the tempo that the team plays with in attack when he's on the pitch. I feels like a more modern approach instead of the slow build up that Odegaard dictates. In this game he linked up well with both wingers, was strong in tackles, carried the ball as he always does better than anyone does in the team. He looks so much more confidant and composed already this season and I have no issues with him starting in place of Odegaard to get a run of starting games and getting valuable experience.

Gabriel Martinelli (RW) - 5/10

I don't remember him doing anything memorable, although I wouldn't say he was notably poor. He was playing on the right, which isn't he preferred position, but maybe it was because the game was already decided that he didn't feel the need to be aggressive. I feel like I'm being kind here, but I won't analyze his performance too deeply today, given all the criticism Martinelli has received lately.

Leandro Trossard (LW) - 7/10

Came on in the 79th minute and produce the assist for Zubminedi's 2nd goal. Probably the biggest compliment I can always give Trossard is he usually finds a way to still make an impact whether he starts or not and you can make the argument that he's better as a substitute He found himself in other good attacking positions to link up with teammates, and made the most of his cameo.

Declan Rice (AM) - 5/10

It was interesting to see him not start, but I completely understand Arteta wanting to ride Merino's hot form. Rice came on in the 68th minute and kept things ticking, but didn't do anything memorable.

Miles Lewis-Skelly (LB) - 6/10

Miles was tidy on the ball and got good game time as a sub for Califiori. I know a lot of people have been expecting him to start more games, but I agree with the approach from Arteta. He's still 18 years old and is not a natural left back, so has a lot to learn. There will be lots of games, especially in the cups that he will start and gain good experience from in only his second professional season.