Arsenal Ratings: Raya Impresses in Draw
Arsenal's opening Premier League match of the season ended in a 2-2 draw against Fulham, a frustrating result for the Gunners despite a promising performance. While the lack of a victory was a disappointment, the performance of summer signing David Raya was a major positive, showing the potential he brings to the Emirates.
Here's a look at how the Arsenal players performed:
David Raya (8/10): The Spaniard was immediately thrown into the action, starting his debut for the North London club. He showed calm and composure throughout the game, making several crucial saves, including a penalty stop in the second half, to keep the score level.
Ben White (6.5/10): A solid performance from the English defender, who handled the threat of Carlos Vinicius well. His usual composure and passing ability were on display, making him a reliable presence at the back.
William Saliba (7/10): Saliba was his usual dominant self in the heart of the defense. He was strong in the air, composed on the ball, and made several key tackles. A dependable presence for the Gunners.
Gabriel Magalhães (7/10): Like Saliba, Gabriel was solid in the back, winning his aerial duels and providing a strong presence in the penalty box. His distribution was accurate, and his overall performance was a reassuring sign for Arsenal fans.
Kieran Tierney (6/10): Tierney offered plenty of energy and industry on the left side, but lacked the final product in the attacking third. His crosses were often inaccurate, and he struggled to make an impact offensively.
Declan Rice (7/10): The new signing from West Ham immediately showed his class in midfield. He was a dominant presence, breaking up play and dictating the tempo of the game. His passing was precise, and his work rate was exemplary.
Martin Ødegaard (7.5/10): The Norwegian captain continued his impressive form from last season. He pulled the strings in midfield, creating chances for his teammates and consistently finding space. His vision and passing were excellent, and he was a threat going forward.
Bukayo Saka (7/10): Saka was a lively presence on the right flank, creating numerous opportunities for Arsenal. His pace and dribbling ability were a constant menace to the Fulham defense, but he lacked the final touch in front of goal.
Kai Havertz (6.5/10): Havertz struggled to make an impact in his Arsenal debut. He was largely anonymous in the first half, but did improve slightly in the second. His movement was lacking, and he failed to find his rhythm.
Gabriel Jesus (7/10): Jesus was a constant threat in the final third. He was energetic, worked tirelessly, and constantly looked to get on the ball. He created numerous opportunities, but his finishing let him down.
Substitutes:
Leandro Trossard (6/10): Brought on for Havertz in the second half, Trossard added some energy and creativity. He was involved in Arsenal's second goal and almost had a goal of his own.
Eddie Nketiah (N/A): Came on late and didn't have enough time to make an impact.
Overall:
Despite the disappointing draw, Arsenal showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in the first half. Their midfield looked strong with Rice and Ødegaard leading the way, while the defense was solid with Saliba and Gabriel at the heart of it. The performance of new signing David Raya was a major positive, showing his potential to be a key player for the Gunners. The lack of sharpness in the final third and some poor finishing cost Arsenal the win, but they will be looking to improve those areas as the season progresses.
