Arsenal vs Liverpool player ratings: Wow, that happened
by Josh Sippie
Arsenal, Rob Holding (Photo by Paul Childs/Pool via Getty Images)
Centre-Backs
Sadio Mane too. The more he played, the more solid he got and should have proven what we should have already known—that he’s the real deal and needs to be a part of this defense."
> 
ROB HOLDING
CB, Arsenal8.0
Man of the Match. Tremendous defensive effort. Was nice to see his physicality and strength and maybe a little bit of dirtiness. Got caught in possession a couple times doing what Mustafi does, only less effectively, but it never came back to bite him. Great to see him getting the best of Sadio Mane too. The more he played, the more solid he got and should have proven what we should have already known—that he’s the real deal and needs to be a part of this defense.
"
> 
DAVID LUIZ
CB, Arsenal7.6
His long balls are getting progressively worse. I guess he deserves some credit for marshaling a makeshift back three, but I’m not sure what else he brings to the equation. That said, again, it’s never a bad thing when we don’t hear a lot from him and we barely heard his name mentioned. Which can only mean he did his job convincingly.
KIERAN TIERNEY
CB, Arsenal7.5
Should have done better filling in on that first goal. He was the one following that run. Or rather he should have been. But he’s Kieran Tierney, and he’s too good to let that slow him down. Still had a great showing in shutting down Liverpool’s attack for such a long period of time.
Arsenal%c2%a0was coming off of perhaps their worst result of the season in terms of disappointment, as they blew a 1-0 lead after it lasted for less than a minute and fell in the North London Derby despite so many promising results leading up to the match.</p>
<p>Which segued so perfectly into a match against Premier League champions Liverpool, who had nothing to play for and all the fluidity in the world.</p>
<p>Arsenal didn’t have much to fight for either, so with the FA Cup semifinal match against Manchester City coming up at the weekend, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/d934d1e6/Mikel-Arteta?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mikel Arteta</a> rotated fairly extensively.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="One Thing Keeping Faith In 3-4-3" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-keeping-faith-3-4-3/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-keeping-faith-3-4-3/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> One Thing Keeping Faith In 3-4-3 </a> </div>
</div>
<p>Most noticeably, he left out arguably his two best performers—Pierre-Emerick Aubaeyang and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/c0617e2b/Dani-Ceballos?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Dani Ceballos</a>. In their stead, we saw <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/52611641/Lucas-Torreira?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Lucas Torreira</a> inserted into the midfield, with <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/57e3f0c7/Nicolas-Pepe?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Nicolas Pepe</a> and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/c5bdb6e3/Reiss-Nelson?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Reiss Nelson</a> rounding out the attack.</p>
<p>It didn’t start well. Liverpool looked incredibly comfortable and the Gunners looked completely lost. Liverpool made it look easy in the 19th when they dissected this defence, making both <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/e61b8aee/Granit-Xhaka?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Granit Xhaka</a> and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/fce2302c/Kieran-Tierney?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Kieran Tierney</a> look pretty bad.</p>
<p>It was shaping up to look like a pretty depressing match. The centerbacks hoofed the ball forward, Liverpool reclaimed, came back at Arsenal, rinse and repeat.</p>
<p>Then, out of nothing, Lacazette plucked up a mistake from van Dijk (prompted by Reiss Nelson) and gave us the equalizer. Another mistake gave the Gunners another goal, believe it or not. Two shots on target, two goals, zero attacking thrust. All the Gunners did was capitalize on Liverpool mistakes. I’m definitely not complaining.</p>
<p>Here are the player ratings:</p>
<h4>Goalkeeper</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="8.0" data-name="EMI MARTINEZ" data-meta-a="GK" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="His first mistake of the season nearly gifted Liverpool a goal, but he was lucky for the post placement. Recovered well, made some excellent saves as he always does. I don’t know how many times I can gush about how wonderful he is, but let’s try one more time—he’s wonderful."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FMartinez_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DgmaU0aQO"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">EMI MARTINEZ</h3> <span class="position">GK,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">8.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">His first mistake of the season nearly gifted Liverpool a goal, but he was lucky for the post placement. Recovered well, made some excellent saves as he always does. I don’t know how many times I can gush about how wonderful he is, but let’s try one more time—he’s wonderful.</div> </div>
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<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Centre-Backs </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-103547" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1070,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1256371069.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Rob Holding" width="1600" height="1070" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1256371069.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1256371069-768x514.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, Rob Holding (Photo by Paul Childs/Pool via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Centre-Backs</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="8.0" data-name="ROB HOLDING" data-meta-a="CB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="<strong>Man of the Match</strong>. Tremendous defensive effort. Was nice to see his physicality and strength and maybe a little bit of dirtiness. Got caught in possession a couple times doing what Mustafi does, only less effectively, but it never came back to bite him. Great to see him getting the best of <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/" https: target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Sadio Mane too. The more he played, the more solid he got and should have proven what we should have already known—that he’s the real deal and needs to be a part of this defense."
> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FHolding_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3D_EmU7PDN"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">ROB HOLDING</h3> <span class="position">CB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">8.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details"><strong>Man of the Match</strong>. Tremendous defensive effort. Was nice to see his physicality and strength and maybe a little bit of dirtiness. Got caught in possession a couple times doing what Mustafi does, only less effectively, but it never came back to bite him. Great to see him getting the best of <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/c691bfe2/Sadio-Mane?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Sadio Mane</a> too. The more he played, the more solid he got and should have proven what we should have already known—that he’s the real deal and needs to be a part of this defense.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="7.6" data-name="DAVID LUIZ" data-meta-a="CB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="His long balls are getting progressively worse. I guess he deserves some credit for marshaling a makeshift back three, but I’m not sure what else he brings to the equation. That said, again, it’s never a bad thing when we don’t hear a lot from him and we barely heard his name mentioned. Which can only mean he did his job convincingly."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FDL_Website_profiles_1045x658_v2.jpg%3Fitok%3DqvVlzxz8"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">DAVID LUIZ</h3> <span class="position">CB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">7.6</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">His long balls are getting progressively worse. I guess he deserves some credit for marshaling a makeshift back three, but I’m not sure what else he brings to the equation. That said, again, it’s never a bad thing when we don’t hear a lot from him and we barely heard his name mentioned. Which can only mean he did his job convincingly.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="7.5" data-name="KIERAN TIERNEY" data-meta-a="CB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Should have done better filling in on that first goal. He was the one following that run. Or rather he should have been. But he’s Kieran Tierney, and he’s too good to let that slow him down. Still had a great showing in shutting down Liverpool’s attack for such a long period of time."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FTierney_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3Df_cwTaLa"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">KIERAN TIERNEY</h3> <span class="position">CB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">7.5</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Should have done better filling in on that first goal. He was the one following that run. Or rather he should have been. But he’s Kieran Tierney, and he’s too good to let that slow him down. Still had a great showing in shutting down Liverpool’s attack for such a long period of time.</div> </div>
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<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Wing-Backs </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-103546" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1227407012.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Cedric Soares" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1227407012.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1227407012-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, Cedric Soares (Photo by PAUL CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Wing-Backs</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.7" data-name="CEDRIC SOARES" data-meta-a="RWB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Composed and secretly quick. Has a great eye for when he should push up and pressure and when he should sit back and do his defensive duties. I really am overjoyed that we’re keeping him, as he’s proving to be such a reliable presence capable of surprises. Not unlike <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/" https: target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Nacho Monreal, really. I have complete faith in his abilities and you should too."
> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FSoares_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3DrlykjRA2"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">CEDRIC SOARES</h3> <span class="position">RWB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.7</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Composed and secretly quick. Has a great eye for when he should push up and pressure and when he should sit back and do his defensive duties. I really am overjoyed that we’re keeping him, as he’s proving to be such a reliable presence capable of surprises. Not unlike <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/d4cb83cc/Nacho-Monreal?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Nacho Monreal</a>, really. I have complete faith in his abilities and you should too.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.4" data-name="BUKAYO SAKA" data-meta-a="LWB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Had so much defending to do in the early goings that he couldn’t get involved in the attack at all. Continued to struggle throughout the match. He didn’t look like his usual winger self playing as a wingback. Hopefully all that does is cue up more opportunities for him further up in the formation. We can’t have him wasted helping out the defense the entire match."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FSaka_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3DXtzAEUrg"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">BUKAYO SAKA</h3> <span class="position">LWB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.4</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Had so much defending to do in the early goings that he couldn’t get involved in the attack at all. Continued to struggle throughout the match. He didn’t look like his usual winger self playing as a wingback. Hopefully all that does is cue up more opportunities for him further up in the formation. We can’t have him wasted helping out the defense the entire match.</div> </div>
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<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Central Midfield </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_103543" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-103543" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2091,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1256373282.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Granit Xhaka" width="3200" height="2091" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1256373282.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1256373282-768x502.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, Granit Xhaka (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Central Midfield</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="7.4" data-name="GRANIT XHAKA" data-meta-a="CM" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Many will blame him for the first goal, but the run happened behind him. Not much he could have done to sense what was happening. That said, he had moments of near-detrimental sloppiness. Settled in as the match went on and actually put in a really good defensive effort. He did what he could to preserve the match and it worked. He was a solid piece in the middle of it all. Did tremendous emergency defensive work as the final whistle neared. Give the man credit."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FXhaka_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3D4RdnaWrD"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">GRANIT XHAKA</h3> <span class="position">CM,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">7.4</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Many will blame him for the first goal, but the run happened behind him. Not much he could have done to sense what was happening. That said, he had moments of near-detrimental sloppiness. Settled in as the match went on and actually put in a really good defensive effort. He did what he could to preserve the match and it worked. He was a solid piece in the middle of it all. Did tremendous emergency defensive work as the final whistle neared. Give the man credit.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.8" data-name="LUCAS TORREIRA" data-meta-a="CM" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="So active in the early going. He was everywhere, on and off the ball. A necessary reminder of how good he can be. Did kind of fade before coming off just shy of the hour mark, but overall he did a decent job disrupting Liverpool’s comfortability, even if he was pretty much alone in that quest."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FTorreira_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DLJn9wPWN"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">LUCAS TORREIRA</h3> <span class="position">CM,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.8</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">So active in the early going. He was everywhere, on and off the ball. A necessary reminder of how good he can be. Did kind of fade before coming off just shy of the hour mark, but overall he did a decent job disrupting Liverpool’s comfortability, even if he was pretty much alone in that quest.</div> </div>
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<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Front Three </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-103530" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2062,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1256367912.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2062" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1256367912.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1256367912-768x495.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/9dbb75ca/Alexandre-Lacazette?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Alexandre Lacazette</a> (Photo by Glyn Kirk/Pool via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Front Three</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="7.8" data-name="REISS NELSON" data-meta-a="RW" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Made some decent runs, but couldn’t get on the ball. When he did, the hesitation undid him. But what little attacking hope we had came from Nelson driving in behind Robertson. And while he won’t get an assist for it, it was his pressuring of van Dijk that prompted the mistake for our first goal. Tremendous composure to finish for the second goal when he might have found Pepe wide open."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FNELSON_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3DM8WzpSd0"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">REISS NELSON</h3> <span class="position">RW,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">7.8</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Made some decent runs, but couldn’t get on the ball. When he did, the hesitation undid him. But what little attacking hope we had came from Nelson driving in behind Robertson. And while he won’t get an assist for it, it was his pressuring of van Dijk that prompted the mistake for our first goal. Tremendous composure to finish for the second goal when he might have found Pepe wide open.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.5" data-name="NICOLAS PEPE" data-meta-a="LW" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Struggled big time. You could see him trying to innovate, but there was nothing there. While Lacazette and Nelson were jumping on Liverpool mistakes, Pepe seemed to be somewhere completely different. Started to fight his way into greater relevance as the second half wore on."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FPepe_profile_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3DM5x_CZ9Y"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">NICOLAS PEPE</h3> <span class="position">LW,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.5</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Struggled big time. You could see him trying to innovate, but there was nothing there. While Lacazette and Nelson were jumping on Liverpool mistakes, Pepe seemed to be somewhere completely different. Started to fight his way into greater relevance as the second half wore on.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="8.0" data-name="ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE" data-meta-a="ST" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Had pretty much nothing except defending to do in the early portions of this match. Then, out of nothing, he was gifted the ball from a griping van Dijk and gave us an equalizer. Repaid the favor just before half, sneaking in to pick off an errant pass from Alisson and slipping it through to Reiss Nelson for a second goal. Essentially he was <em>the</em> attack."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FLacazette_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DWucaQRNh"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE</h3> <span class="position">ST,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">8.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Had pretty much nothing except defending to do in the early portions of this match. Then, out of nothing, he was gifted the ball from a griping van Dijk and gave us an equalizer. Repaid the favor just before half, sneaking in to pick off an errant pass from Alisson and slipping it through to Reiss Nelson for a second goal. Essentially he was <em>the</em> attack.</div> </div>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-103555" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2130,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1227429216.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Joe Willock" width="3200" height="2130" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1227429216.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1227429216-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, Joe Willock (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Substitutes</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.2" data-name="JOE WILLOCK" data-meta-a="SUB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Had a chance to seal the match just before the 90th but he sliced it. Great effort as always, but you have to put that opportunity away."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FWillock_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3D7R25yfpS"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">JOE WILLOCK</h3> <span class="position">SUB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.2</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Had a chance to seal the match just before the 90th but he sliced it. Great effort as always, but you have to put that opportunity away.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.1" data-name="PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG" data-meta-a="SUB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Such a presence in the attack. Always capable of starting something. Didn’t have a lot to do here, but when he got involved, you could feel it."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FAubameyang_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3DD5w_ewVj"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG</h3> <span class="position">SUB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.1</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Such a presence in the attack. Always capable of starting something. Didn’t have a lot to do here, but when he got involved, you could feel it.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.3" data-name="DANI CEBALLOS" data-meta-a="SUB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Couldn’t get a grip on the speed of the match when he first came on. Really struggled to propel the attack like he does so well when he’s starting. But when he was asked to defend, he did it quite well."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-liverpool-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FCeballos_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3DP2n_Yy1a"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">DANI CEBALLOS</h3> <span class="position">SUB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.3</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Couldn’t get a grip on the speed of the match when he first came on. Really struggled to propel the attack like he does so well when he’s starting. But when he was asked to defend, he did it quite well.</div> </div>
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