Arsenal player ratings: Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe bedazzle Baggies but Gabriel Martinelli sluggish
ARSENAL bounced back from their Europa League heartache with a 3-1 win over West Brom.
Goals from Emile Smith Rowe, Nicolas Pepe and Willian sealed victory at the Emirates to ease pressure on Mikel Arteta, with the result also condemning the Baggies to relegation.
But who was Arsenal’s best player on Sunday? And did anyone have a game to forget?
Here, SunSport’s Anthony Chapman delivers his player ratings…
BERND LENO – 6
West Brom were wayward with their shooting so goalie didn’t have too much to worry about.
But showed great awareness with one fine save which turned out to be offside and used the ball at his feet well.
CALUM CHAMBERS – 7
A solid presence on the right, allowing Pepe to play the role of destroyer further forward.
Tucked in well next to Holding at times and gave Arsenal some much-needed stability.
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ROB HOLDING – 7
Arsenal’s leader at the back showed wisdom beyond his years.
Won his aerial duels against West Brom’s giants and kept things tight at the back.
GABRIEL – 6
Looked at ease tonight alongside wise head Holding.
Was in right place at the right time and provided solid base for Arsenal to build from.
BUKAYO SAKA – 8
Moved deeper to left-back but still popped up with a fine assist for Emile Smith Rowe.
Showed off his defensive and offensive capabilities well, and is now Arsenal’s key man.
MO ELNENY – 7
Will never be the most glamorous player in Arsenal’s XI but deserves a more prominent role.
Another reliable performance at the base of midfield allowed those with better flair to play with extra freedom.
DANI CEBALLOS – 6
Has struggled recently but did not shy away from getting on the ball.
Passing was tidy and he was also willing to help out Elneny while on the backfoot – even if his speed was lacking for West Brom’s goal.
NICOLAS PEPE – 9
Scored a trademark howitzer cutting in from the right on his left foot.
Forward looked sharp and confident as he provided a constant threat to the Baggies defence.
EMILE SMITH ROWE – 8
This lad keeps getting better and better in the No10 role.
Showed great awareness latching on to Saka’s cross before adding a fine finish to put Arsenal ahead.
WILLIAN – 8
Performance was a throwback to his better days at Chelsea, capped off with a fine free-kick.
Willian made himself available for one-twos all over the final third and played with a composure that needs to be witnessed more in an Arsenal shirt.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Youngster was entrusted to lead line but was a bit sluggish following his recent injury woes.
Drifted to create space for fellow attackers and will have been pleased to get some good minutes under his belt but could have done with seeing out the whole game.
SUBS
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE (for Martinelli, 60’) – 6
Dropped deep to provide an extra man in midfield and snuff out any West Brom breaks while also creating passages of play going forward.
KIERAN TIERNEY (for Smith Rowe, 62’) – 6
Slotted in at left-back, allowing Saka to go forward, and made sure there was no chance of any Baggies bursting down his flank.
THOMAS PARTEY (for Ceballos, 78’) – N/A