Arsenal got the three points they needed with an injury-ravaged side taking to the field against Huddersfield Town, but it wasn’t a performance that will live long in the memory.
Arsenal took an early lead thanks to a deflected Alex Iwobi strike, and Alexandre Lacazette doubled their advantage before half-time with a goal from close range. After that, the team had a few good opportunities to extend the lead, and their wastefulness was almost punished as a Sead Kolasinac own goal cut the deficit in injury time.
Fortunately, it was too late for Huddersfield to grab an equaliser, and Arsenal took home the three points.
Let’s have a look at our individual player ratings for the match.
2Midfield and Wing-Backs
![HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Adama Diakhaby and Karlan Grant of Huddersfield Town attempt to get the ball off Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal after their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Arsenal FC at John Smith's Stadium on February 9, 2019 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)](https://dailycannon.com/static/uploads/2019/02/Huddersfield-Town-v-Arsenal-FC-Premier-League-1549735484-696x476.jpg)
Ainsley Maitland-Niles 6.5
Maitland-Niles had a good game in general, but he has a bizarre habit of lazily playing infield passes to opposition players. It’s not as it passing is a weakness of his, but he seems to forget to look before playing the simple ones, and it almost cost Arsenal a couple of times.
Despite that caveat, the right wing-back did have a number of positive moments in the match. He set up what turned out to be the winning goal, with his first assist of the season. He also made six tackles, more than anyone else on the pitch. He just needs to stay focused when he has the ball.
Lucas Torreira 6
Torreira didn’t have his best game on Saturday, as he struggled to make an impact in or out of possession. His passing was pretty average, and he didn’t win the ball back as often as usual. There weren’t any major errors of note, the midfielder just didn’t make much happen.
Torreira ended up coming off early, which was probably partly with Thursday’s Europa League clash in mind, but in all honesty, it wasn’t a bad thing to see him withdrawn.
Matteo Guendouzi 6.5
Guendouzi had a better game than Torreira, but he wasn’t without his shaky moments too. The Frenchman was dispossessed a little too often, though he did win a couple of good free-kicks. In general, his passing was good as well. Nonetheless, Guendouzi and Torreira still seem a bit limited in possession when Granit Xhaka isn’t around.
Sead Kolasinac 6.5
Kolasinac played a great ball to assist the first goal, even if the finish was a bit fortunate. It was no surprise to see the Bosnian get forward so effectively as always, and his defending was pretty good for a while. Then he scored an own goal in injury time, which was a blot on his copybook, to say the least. His passing also lacked any accuracy.
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