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GOAL
Mikel Arteta’s side had the better of the few chances that were created during the first half as Bukayo Saka had a free-kick saved by Marco Carnesecchi before Gabriel Martinelli spooned an effort from the edge of the box over the bar.
The home side were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead early in the second period, however, as Thomas Partey tripped Ederson inside the area, only for Raya to deny Mateo Retegui both from the penalty spot and, unbelievably, as the striker looked to head in the rebound from close-range.
Both sides had further opportunities to break the deadlock, as Juan Cuadrado twice curled shots narrowly off target before Martinelli wasted a great chance after being played in behind by substitute Raheem Sterling. In the end, however, neither team could find a breakthrough and were made to settle for a point.
GOALÂ rates Arsenal’s players from the Gewiss Stadium…
AFPGoalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (8/10):
Barely tested until the penalty, but stood up for his team when it counted with a remarkable double-save. The second stop from Retegui was even better than the one the Spaniard pulled off to deny Ollie Watkins a few weeks ago.
Ben White (6/10):
Kept Lookman pretty quiet down the Atalanta left. Unable to offer much in attack, however.
William Saliba (8/10):
A human shield, the France international repelled everything that came his way with ease. Superb late tackle denied Lookman when clean through.
Gabriel Magalhaes (8/10):
Ensured Retegui didn’t get a sight of goal from open play as he regularly outmuscled the Italy striker. A colossus.
Jurrien Timber (6/10):
Neat and tidy in possession without ever offering any kind of incisive passing. A little suspect defensively at times.
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Kai Havertz (5/10):
A performance more akin to what Havertz offered in the first half of last season before he was moved further forward. Wasn’t afraid to put himself about physically, though.
Thomas Partey (4/10):
Overrun at times and was clumsy in bringing down Ederson for the penalty. Replaced not long after the spot-kick.
Declan Rice (6/10):
Covered every blade of grass without ever imposing himself on the game. Best moments came when he made some key defensive interventions.
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Bukayo Saka (6/10):
Tested Carnesecchi with a clever first-half free-kick, but Arsenal couldn’t get him in the game nearly enough. Did look a threat on the rare occasion he got into dangerous areas.
Gabriel Jesus (3/10):
Handed his first start of the season but looked very rusty. Some of his touches were heavy and he never truly got up to the speed of the game before being replaced early in the second half.
Gabriel Martinelli (2/10):
Continues to look a shadow of the player who was tearing defences apart this time last season. Wasted one decent shooting position in the first half before missing an even better chance after the break.
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Jorginho (6/10):
Added some stability to the midfield after replacing the tiring Partey.
Leandro Trossard (5/10):
Struggled to offer much as a central striker after coming on for Jesus.
Riccardo Calafiori (6/10):
Returned from injury to play the final 20 minutes in his homeland.
Raheem Sterling (6/10):
Instantly created a chance for Martinelli but struggled to get in the game thereafter.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
Will be satisfied with a point. Prospect of facing Manchester City in three days’ time meant key players had to be taken off earlier than he might have otherwise liked, but at least his side came away with no more injuries to worry about.