It wasn’t the prettiest of matches, nor was it the most exciting, but Arsenal leave Serbia with three points.
Apart from perhaps Jack Wilshere and Reiss Nelson, there weren’t many bright sparks in action against Red Star Belgrade on Thursday night.
Perhaps this was summed up by the fact that Olivier Giroud, who had been pretty poor all game, linked up with Theo Walcott, who was also terrible, to create a stunning team goal in order to win the match 1-0 for Arsenal. Of course, Wilshere was involved.
Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles were also solid.
It’s now three wins from three and although most of the Gunners were disappointing, many were inexperienced, not quite fit or unsure of the bizarre starting XI Arsene Wenger had thrown out onto the pitch.
Here’s how they all did individually.
2. Midfield
Francis Coquelin – 6
The midfielder’s touch was terrible and he added very little to our midfield. He did, however, get a Red Star Belgrade player sent off in the 80th minute and we scored after that so… swings and roundabouts.
“Coquelin has a good touch and is good under pressure” pic.twitter.com/s8VRndCt1W
— #DSJmyROY (@BJoseph96) October 19, 2017
Joe Willock – 5.5
The youngster was solid. He completed 93% of his passes and won four tackles.
Reiss Nelson – 7
The wing-back put in a superb tackle in the first half, powering back while Red Star broke at pace. It was well-timed and professional but effective.
The 17-year-old was always looking to get involved and most Gooners are aching to see him in a more advanced role.
He completed five dribbles in total and was the main spark driving play forward at the beginning of the second half.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6
The 20-year-old, who continues to divide opinion, won five tackles and had a decent enough match. Not his best or worst.
Next, forwards