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...

Arsenal's Aubameyang draws blank with new boss Arteta watching

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Saturday, 21 December 2019 07:04

The final game of Freddie Ljungberg's temporary tenure as Arsenal boss ended in a tame 0-0 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.

In a game of very few chances, the closest the Gunners came to breaking the deadlock with new manager Mikel Arteta watching in the stands came early in the second half when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot straight at Jordan Pickford from close range.

Positives

Following an opening 10 minutes in which Arsenal began on the back foot, the visitors adapted well to the Everton threat and never looked in any serious danger of conceding.

Negatives

One of Mikel Arteta's first jobs as Arsenal manager will be to improve the service to Aubameyang, who saw next to nothing of the ball, especially in the first half, and the speed at which the Gunners moved the ball was too slow to cause Everton a consistent problem on the break.

Manager rating out of 10

6 -- Ljungberg played Arsenal's youngest Premier League side in over eight years, but you can't help but think that starting players like Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe would have given the hosts much more to think about.

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

GK Bernd Leno, 6 -- A quiet afternoon for the German, who was never seriously stretched by an Everton side that lacked potency.

DF Bukayo Saka, 7 -- The 18-year-old was solid as a rock from a defensive point of view, and gave his side an outlet left as Arsenal grew as an attacking force in the second half.

DF David Luiz, 6 -- A typically clumsy performance from the Brazilian during a first half in which he was fortunate to escape a booking, but enjoyed a much more comfortable second period as the visitors started to take control.

DF Calum Chambers, 7 -- Looks a lot more comfortable in the middle of the defence after spending most of his Gunners career to date at full-back, and the Englishman dealt well with the combative two-man Everton frontline. Booked for a late challenge on Mason Holgate and will miss his side's trip to Bournemouth on Boxing Day.

DF Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 7 -- The right-back looked set for a difficult afternoon against Lucas Digne and Richarlison on the Everton left, but the 22-year-old was comfortable throughout.

MF Granit Xhaka, 7 -- A steady display from the Swiss international, who kept play ticking over nicely and never looked rushed. A performance to build on from the former captain.

MF Lucas Torreira, 6 -- The diminutive Uruguayan is never afraid to put himself about in what was a physical game, but his side could've done with some more progressive passing from the 23-year-old, who was often too safe with the ball at his feet.

MF Gabriel Martinelli, 6 -- The Brazilian was Arsenal's most threatening forward player, but should have done a lot better when he was sent through on goal just before half-time, but flashed his shot wide.

MF Emile Smith-Rowe, 5 -- The youngster was largely anonymous in a poor first half, but perked up after the break and helped launch a couple of Arsenal counter-attacks. Replaced by Joe Willock after 66 minutes.

MF Reiss Nelson, 5 -- Another Arsenal youngster who failed to make any kind of impression in what was a big opportunity to impress his new manager.

FW Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 6 -- Woefully starved of service in a frustrating first half, but a striker of his quality simply has to score when presented with a chance like the half-volley on the angle from just five yards out at the start of the second period. Replaced by Alexandre Lacazette for the final 13 minutes.

Substitutes

Joe Willock, 6 -- Didn't see enough of the ball to make a telling impact in his 25-minute cameo. Booked for a poor sliding tackle on Gylfi Sigurdsson in stoppage time.

Alexandre Lacazette, N/A -- Unable to muster a late opportunity.

Read 348 times

Soccer

Argentina GK Martínez handed 2-game WCQ ban

Argentina GK Martínez handed 2-game WCQ ban

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsArgentina goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez has been suspended by...

Pep: Arteta should explain inside info comments

Pep: Arteta should explain inside info comments

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPep Guardiola has hit back at Mikel Arteta's claim that he has insi...

LaLiga chief targets game in Miami next season

LaLiga chief targets game in Miami next season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLaLiga president Javier Tebas has said he is targeting playing a co...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Knicks trade for KAT: What insiders are hearing about the deal's impact

Knicks trade for KAT: What insiders are hearing about the deal's impact

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe final weekend of the offseason brings us another league-shaking...

Foot tendon strain to sideline Hornets' Williams

Foot tendon strain to sideline Hornets' Williams

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets center Mark Williams will sit out training camp a...

Baseball

Sources: Marlins' Schumaker won't return in '25

Sources: Marlins' Schumaker won't return in '25

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMiami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker will not return to the team in...

Royals make playoffs a year after 106-loss season

Royals make playoffs a year after 106-loss season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsATLANTA -- The Kansas City Royals completed one of the most remarka...

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