Robin Roefs: 7/10
Made a really good save in the first half, tipping an effort over the bar and was strong from set pieces. Might be disappointed not to save the penalty after getting a good hand on it.
Nordi Mukiele: 10/10
Absolute mountain at the back, dominated from right back. Didn’t give Arsenal a second when they were in possession and threw himself at everything in the box, acrobatically volleyed a shot just over the bar, then got a toe on a deep Xhaka cross and almost got back up in time to get the rebound.
Kevin Danso: 8/10
Another really good performance
at the back, just looks assured and difficult to get the best of.
Dan Ballard: 9/10
Made a great headed clearance late on, bullied anyone who came near him and was an absolute menace around the Arsenal box. Winning the penalty and causing havoc both from set pieces and then open play late on.
Reinildo: 8/10
Kept Saka really quiet all game, closing the gap quickly whenever the ball went to the Arsenal winger. Received a really harsh yellow card, but then dragged the player down in injury time to pick up a second booking and give away a penalty.
Granit Xhaka (C): 10/10
Thought Xhaka was the best player on the pitch tonight, ran the midfield, made a huge defensive effort and put some great balls into the Arsenal box.
Noah Sadiki: 8/10
A very disciplined performance by Sadiki, ran some hard yards alongside Xhaka to stop Arsenal finding gaps but sacrificed his attacking play to do so.
Thomas Meunier: 7/10
Did a really good job helping the team shut down Arsenal’s left flank, kept the ball well and even had a half-volley blocked in the second half.
Enzo Le Fee: 8/10
Good on the ball and linked up well with Brobbey in the first hour, then with Mukiele down the right once Isidor came on. Struck the penalty well enough, low and hard into the bottom corner but it was just a fantastic save.
Nilson Angulo: 6/10
Worked very hard out of possession and had some success going forward against Ben White, didn’t have much luck against Timber though.
Brian Brobbey: 9/10
Single-handedly occupied both centre halves throughout, with the Arsenal defenders just not being able to cope with his hold up play. The only thing missing was a goal and he had a few half chances to get on the scoresheet when the ball was bobbling around the box.
Substitutes
Wilson Isidor: 6/10
Unfortunately didn’t get any chances but I really liked his link up play with Brobbey, where the Dutchman would pin the defender and Isidor would arc a run in behind.
Malick Fofana: 6/10
Made a half chance as soon as he came on with a sprint down the line, showed some good touches down his side and was quick to get a cross in.
Man of the Match: Granit Xhaka
Both Mukiele and Xhaka were a class above tonight, even though it was a massive team effort but the captain just edges the man of the match. Xhaka seemed to be everywhere defensively, cutting out passes and winning the ball back and was great on the ball tonight, put in some top class crosses into the box that caused Arsenal massive problems. Unfortunate to be on the losing side.
