Arsenal-Atalanta Draw: Player Grades
The Gunners and La Dea played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Europa League Round of 16 first leg at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal, despite dominating possession and creating a plethora of chances, were unable to secure a victory, leaving the tie delicately poised for the second leg in Bergamo.
Here’s a breakdown of how each player performed, with grades assigned based on their individual contributions:
Arsenal
Aaron Ramsdale (7/10): A confident and steady presence in goal. Made a crucial save in the second half to deny Duván Zapata, showcasing his excellent reflexes.
Ben White (7/10): Solid performance at right-back. Offered a good outlet going forward and defended resolutely against Atalanta’s attacking threats.
Gabriel (7/10): A commanding presence in the heart of defense. Won his aerial duels and made crucial interceptions to keep Atalanta at bay.
Pablo Mari (6/10): Had a mixed performance, with some crucial clearances but also a few shaky moments.
Kieran Tierney (6/10): Didn’t quite reach his usual high standards, but provided width and attacking support down the left flank.
Thomas Partey (8/10): Another impressive performance from the midfield anchor. Dictated the tempo of the game, controlled possession and shielded the back four effectively.
Granit Xhaka (7/10): Delivered a solid performance in midfield, winning tackles and distributing the ball accurately.
Bukayo Saka (7/10): A constant threat on the right wing. Involved in several dangerous attacks, including the opening goal.
Martin Ødegaard (7/10): Showed his class with his intricate passing and creative vision. Played a key role in Arsenal’s buildup play.
Emile Smith Rowe (8/10): Arsenal’s standout performer. He scored a brilliant opener and was a constant menace to the Atalanta defense with his dribbling and passing range.
Alexandre Lacazette (6/10): Worked tirelessly upfront but lacked the cutting edge in front of goal.
Substitutes:
Gabriel Martinelli (6/10): Brought energy and pace into the attack, but his impact was limited.
Eddie Nketiah (6/10): Missed a golden opportunity to score a late winner.
Atalanta
Juan Musso (6/10): Made some crucial saves, but also looked vulnerable at times against Arsenal’s relentless attack.
Rafael Tolói (6/10): Solid defensive performance, but struggled to contain the threat of Saka and Smith Rowe.
José Luis Palomino (6/10): A composed and reliable presence at the back.
Berat Djimsiti (5/10): Had a difficult time dealing with Arsenal’s attacking prowess.
Joakim Mæhle (6/10): Delivered a good performance, providing width and attacking threat down the right flank.
Marten De Roon (6/10): Contributed defensively and tried to break up Arsenal’s rhythm, but was ultimately outplayed by Partey and Xhaka.
Teun Koopmeiners (7/10): A real threat for Arsenal, he scored a stunning equalizer and created several dangerous chances.
Aleksey Miranchuk (5/10): Showed glimpses of his talent, but lacked consistency and struggled to make a real impact on the game.
Duván Zapata (6/10): Had a few good moments but was largely ineffective in front of goal.
Luis Muriel (6/10): A dangerous substitute, he scored the equalizing goal and almost won the game for Atalanta.
Substitutes:
Merih Demiral (6/10): Added defensive solidity after coming on.
This draw sets up an intriguing second leg in Bergamo. While Arsenal were dominant in possession and chances, they failed to convert their opportunities. Atalanta showed they are capable of scoring on the counter, and will surely be looking to exploit any defensive lapse in the second leg.
