Our first pre-season match is behind us, how did our players do?

Since it’s pre-season, it’s natural to have a lot of subs and Arsenal made eight of them. Naturally, it’s also hard to rate a player after only a half time or even only 10 minutes, but here are some thoughts about the 19 players (!!) that we got to see tonight.

Emi Martinez – 6

Emi played first half and did okay. He made a few decent saves, including right before the goal that sadly fell right on one of Lens’ player’s feet.

Mathieu Debuchy – 6.5

Almost gave him a 7 but had to take half a point due to yellow card. Debuchy was easily our best player in first half with some very good forward passes.

Per Mertesacker – 6

Once again, the only thing Per did wrong today was something he can’t fix – he was too slow a few times. Other than that, okay.

Calum Chambers – 6

Chambers is to blame for only goal we conceded, a really bad header he then repeated in the second half as well but it didn’t end in a goal. He did look much better in second half when he was moved to the right-back position.

Nacho Monreal – 6

Nacho didn’t do much, didn’t have to, but it was nice to see him again.

Mohamed Elneny – 6

Also didn’t have to do much defensively. He had a shot but it went far above the goal.

Francis Coquelin – 6

Coquelin was being Coquelin – tackling like it’s a crucial match in the middle of the season. He didn’t get a card so that’s a good thing…

Theo Walcott – 6

Theo was involved in all our attacks, although his decisions were poor most of the time. He managed to score but it was offside.

Alex Iwobi – 6

Alex did okay in first half, nothing much in second half.

Jeff Reine-Adelaide – 6.5

Jeff was looking decent, and him, Iwobi and Akpom played some nice passes. He had a great shot on goal that went just wide.

Chuba Akpom – 6.5

Chuba had our first shot on target for this season, although the goal keeper saved it. He had a few more chances as well, but no goal for him.

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Macey – 6.5

Matt looked really good in goal in his first senior appearance for Arsenal, he made one amazing save with tips of his fingers.

Bielik – 6

Bielik was just okay, had some bad reactions and misplaced passes.

Gibbs – 6

Gibbs didn’t have to do much but looked sharp.

Campbell – 7

Joel once again showed how much he loves and wants to play. Really good upfront with some chances created.

Gnabry – 6.5

Serge looked good overall, always joining in the attacks, but his best move was the assist for the Ox.

Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7

Ox scored the only goal for Arsenal and what a goal it was – a cheeky chip over the goal keeper. He was good overall as well, great pace.

Chris Willock – 6

Chris got to play only 10 minutes, but he showed off some great skills, exciting prospect indeed.

Gedion Zelalem – 6

Same as Willock, only got 10 minutes but looked good during that time.