Olympiakos' French-born Moroccan striker Youssef El-Arabi celebrates after scoring their late goal in extra time during the UEFA Europa league round of 32 second leg football match between Arsenal and Olympiakos at the Emirates stadium in London on February 27, 2020. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal Vs Olympiakos: Player ratings – Nightmare
Olympiakos’ French-born Moroccan striker Youssef El-Arabi celebrates after scoring their late goal in extra time during the UEFA Europa league round of 32 second leg football match between Arsenal and Olympiakos at the Emirates stadium in London on February 27, 2020. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
On Thursday night, Arsenal hosted Olympiakos in the second leg of their Europa League Round of 32 tie. Here are the player ratings from the 2-1 loss.
The Mikel Arteta era has not featured many bad performances thus far. But this was one of Arsenal’s most lacklustre outings of an entire season full of them. Olympiakos arrived at the Emirates with a plan: defend deep, remain disciplined, slow down the game at every opportunity, and knick the goal they needed. They did precisely that, and the Gunners let them. In the end,
Listen to the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast here! — Emergency Podcast: Nightmare
Here are the player ratings from the 2-1 loss.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Youssef El Arabi of Olympiacos FC is tackled by Bernd Leno of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Goalkeeper
BERND LENO
GK, Arsenal6.5
Could do nothing for the goal. Commanded his area well and made one excellent save from a long-range strike in the second half. Made a terrible error to concede a silly corner in the build-up to the final goal. His play in possession has been better recently, but it still needs to improve.
Arsenal%e2%80%99s most lacklustre outings of an entire season full of them. Olympiakos arrived at the Emirates with a plan: defend deep, remain disciplined, slow down the game at every opportunity, and knick the goal they needed. They did precisely that, and the Gunners let them. In the end,</p>
<h2><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pain-in-the-arsenal-podcast-on-arsenal-fc/id1314514440?ign-mpt=uo%3D4%26amp%3Buo%3D4&mt=2%22>Listen to the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast here! — Emergency Podcast: Nightmare</a></h2>
<p>Here are the player ratings from<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51623263"> the 2-1 loss</a>.</p>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-99381" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1209108356-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Youssef El Arabi of Olympiacos FC is tackled by Bernd Leno of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Goalkeeper</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.5" data-name="BERND LENO" data-meta-a="GK" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Could do nothing for the goal. Commanded his area well and made one excellent save from a long-range strike in the second half. Made a terrible error to concede a silly corner in the build-up to the final goal. His play in possession has been better recently, but it still needs to improve."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"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%2FLeno_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3DsdPMY-iR"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">BERND LENO</h3> <span class="position">GK,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.5</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Could do nothing for the goal. Commanded his area well and made one excellent save from a long-range strike in the second half. Made a terrible error to concede a silly corner in the build-up to the final goal. His play in possession has been better recently, but it still needs to improve.</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/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Centre-Backs </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-99380" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1209108515-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1209108515-850x560.jpeg 850w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1209108515-768x508.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal FC reacts during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Centre-Backs</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.0" data-name="DAVID LUIZ" data-meta-a="CB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Played with terrific authority and command in the second half. Was positioned well to suffocate Olympiakos counter-attacks, gave the attacking players no opportunity to turn, winning the ball back immediately. Did not impact the match in possession in the same manner as usual, but his defensive play was authoritative. And then Luiz does what he often seems to do: make a silly mistake, leaving a cross into the box for a striker behind him to arrow into the bottom corner. So good, but let down by that critical error."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"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">6.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Played with terrific authority and command in the second half. Was positioned well to suffocate Olympiakos counter-attacks, gave the attacking players no opportunity to turn, winning the ball back immediately. Did not impact the match in possession in the same manner as usual, but his defensive play was authoritative. And then Luiz does what he often seems to do: make a silly mistake, leaving a cross into the box for a striker behind him to arrow into the bottom corner. So good, but let down by that critical error.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="7.5" data-name="SHKODRAN MUSTAFI" data-meta-a="CB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="MAN OF THE MATCH: Quite remarkably, Shkodran Mustafi is not only a key player under Mikel Arteta; he might be one of the very best players. He has now started the last five games, has excelled in every single one, and is taking on the mantle as a leading figure in the dressing room superbly. Here, he was excellent. Made several crucial interventions and blocks in the first half, pressed high with David Luiz in the second half, just needed to be a little more productive with his passing. I am putting no fault on Mustafi for the goal as the ball was nicked ahead of him, taking it away from his head. It was also not his job to mark Pape Cisse."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"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%2FMustafi_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DiL6Zhdhm"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">SHKODRAN MUSTAFI</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">MAN OF THE MATCH: Quite remarkably, Shkodran Mustafi is not only a key player under Mikel Arteta; he might be one of the very best players. He has now started the last five games, has excelled in every single one, and is taking on the mantle as a leading figure in the dressing room superbly. Here, he was excellent. Made several crucial interventions and blocks in the first half, pressed high with David Luiz in the second half, just needed to be a little more productive with his passing. I am putting no fault on Mustafi for the goal as the ball was nicked ahead of him, taking it away from his head. It was also not his job to mark Pape Cisse.</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/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Full-Backs </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal and Mathieu Valbuena of Olympiacos FC in action during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Full-Backs</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="4.5" data-name="HECTOR BELLERIN" data-meta-a="RB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Does not look match fit. Started the first 20 minutes neatly. Was tidy in possession and solid defensively. Then he began to labour. First his passing declined, turning over the ball at an alarming rate. Then his defending began to tire, especially in the second half as Olympiakos started to target him when dribbling. How long do you wait for Bellerin to get properly fit? It is impossible to say, but this is not the Bellerin of old."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"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%2FBellerin_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DVnHg6MBP"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">HECTOR BELLERIN</h3> <span class="position">RB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">4.5</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Does not look match fit. Started the first 20 minutes neatly. Was tidy in possession and solid defensively. Then he began to labour. First his passing declined, turning over the ball at an alarming rate. Then his defending began to tire, especially in the second half as Olympiakos started to target him when dribbling. How long do you wait for Bellerin to get properly fit? It is impossible to say, but this is not the Bellerin of old.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.0" data-name="BUKAYO SAKA" data-meta-a="LB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="His positioning was exploited at times, especially with long-range switches of play (it is more surprising that he has not looked out of place more often given that he is still learning the position). In possession, he was tidy, keeping the ball well, but he lacked the same offensive spark as in recent outings. Clearly a little jaded and in need of a rest."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"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">LB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">His positioning was exploited at times, especially with long-range switches of play (it is more surprising that he has not looked out of place more often given that he is still learning the position). In possession, he was tidy, keeping the ball well, but he lacked the same offensive spark as in recent outings. Clearly a little jaded and in need of a rest.</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/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Central Midfield </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-99378" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1209108575-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal FC battles for possession with Youssef El Arabi of Olympiacos FC during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Central Midfield</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.0" data-name="GRANIT XHAKA" data-meta-a="CM" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Xhaka was fine. He played some good passes, especially a couple of long-range attempts across the pitch and conducted play neatly, but he played too slowly in possession and was sometimes exploited defensively. The problem with his inclusion is that the central midfield is emptied when he shifts wide. It limits options on the ball and slows down the play, as evidenced here."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"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">6.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Xhaka was fine. He played some good passes, especially a couple of long-range attempts across the pitch and conducted play neatly, but he played too slowly in possession and was sometimes exploited defensively. The problem with his inclusion is that the central midfield is emptied when he shifts wide. It limits options on the ball and slows down the play, as evidenced here.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.5" data-name="DANI CEBALLOS" data-meta-a="CM" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Defensively, he was very industrious and tenacious. Threw himself into challenges, pressed hard, covered lots of ground. Like Xhaka, he also has limited athleticism and is beaten too easily at times a result. On the ball, he was neat and tidy but also struggled to inject any pace into the collective play. He turned too much, he went backwards too frequently, and he has seemingly lost that ability to beat a defender when dribbling."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"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">CM,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.5</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Defensively, he was very industrious and tenacious. Threw himself into challenges, pressed hard, covered lots of ground. Like Xhaka, he also has limited athleticism and is beaten too easily at times a result. On the ball, he was neat and tidy but also struggled to inject any pace into the collective play. He turned too much, he went backwards too frequently, and he has seemingly lost that ability to beat a defender when dribbling.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="4.0" data-name="MESUT OZIL" data-meta-a="CAM" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Poor. Very poor. Movement was negligible, or when he did run he was not found by his teammates, he created little, struggled to dictate the game with any authority and incision, slowed down play terribly. There were moments of inspiration here and there: a lovely slid pass to Hector Bellerin, a dummy for Alexandre Lacazette. But they are few and far between. And then there is the corner. Ozil is there to block the run of any oncoming attacking player. He stands, steps aside, and watches as the ball flies into his own net."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"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%2FOzil_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3D6Y1DQ1Q_"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">MESUT OZIL</h3> <span class="position">CAM,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">4.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Poor. Very poor. Movement was negligible, or when he did run he was not found by his teammates, he created little, struggled to dictate the game with any authority and incision, slowed down play terribly. There were moments of inspiration here and there: a lovely slid pass to Hector Bellerin, a dummy for Alexandre Lacazette. But they are few and far between. And then there is the corner. Ozil is there to block the run of any oncoming attacking player. He stands, steps aside, and watches as the ball flies into his own net.</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/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Front Three </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-99383" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1209098202-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal controls the ball during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Front Three</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="3.0" data-name="NICOLAS PEPE" data-meta-a="RW" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="What do you do with Nicolas Pepe? If you wanted a performance to define Pepe’s first season, this was it. So much promise: so lovely moments when driving at defenders, strong runs off the ball, speed, power, skill. And yet, so little production: slowed down the play horribly, awful decision-making, unwilling to kick the ball with his right foot, poor end product. This was Pepe’s first season in a nutshell, and it wasn’t worth anywhere near £72 million."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"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">RW,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">3.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">What do you do with Nicolas Pepe? If you wanted a performance to define Pepe’s first season, this was it. So much promise: so lovely moments when driving at defenders, strong runs off the ball, speed, power, skill. And yet, so little production: slowed down the play horribly, awful decision-making, unwilling to kick the ball with his right foot, poor end product. This was Pepe’s first season in a nutshell, and it wasn’t worth anywhere near £72 million.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="5.0" data-name="PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG" data-meta-a="LW" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Struggled to get into the game. The service into him was limited, such was the pace at which the ball was moved, but when he did receive the ball, he was unable to create much. One note of concern was the lack of movement. While passes were slow in coming his way, Aubameyang’s movement off the ball to create openings to play into was equally as detrimental. Scored a brilliant goal that seemingly put his team through, producing a sublime overhead kick. Then missed a simple opportunity to win it right at the death. Summed up his night."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"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">LW,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">5.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Struggled to get into the game. The service into him was limited, such was the pace at which the ball was moved, but when he did receive the ball, he was unable to create much. One note of concern was the lack of movement. While passes were slow in coming his way, Aubameyang’s movement off the ball to create openings to play into was equally as detrimental. Scored a brilliant goal that seemingly put his team through, producing a sublime overhead kick. Then missed a simple opportunity to win it right at the death. Summed up his night.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.0" data-name="ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE" data-meta-a="ST" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="The best of the front three, though that really is not saying much. Held up the ball very well, pressed excellently, and came close to slipping through the Olympiakos ranks at times. He did miss a couple of decent opportunities, including a stooped header when he should have used his foot instead."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"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">6.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">The best of the front three, though that really is not saying much. Held up the ball very well, pressed excellently, and came close to slipping through the Olympiakos ranks at times. He did miss a couple of decent opportunities, including a stooped header when he should have used his foot instead.</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/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Substitutes </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-99387" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1209115814-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Copa/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Substitutes</h4>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="7.0" data-name="LUCAS TORREIRA" data-meta-a="SUB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="An excellent substitution from Mikel Arteta, Lucas Torreira provided the exact type of energy that Arsenal required. His passing was nothing spectacular, though it was simple and quick, but his work without the ball was superb. He understands when to press and when to stand off, he is a nuisance to play against, and reads the game well to make interception after interception."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"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">SUB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">7.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">An excellent substitution from Mikel Arteta, Lucas Torreira provided the exact type of energy that Arsenal required. His passing was nothing spectacular, though it was simple and quick, but his work without the ball was superb. He understands when to press and when to stand off, he is a nuisance to play against, and reads the game well to make interception after interception.</div> </div>
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<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="5.0" data-name="JOE WILLOCK" data-meta-a="SUB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Is he ready to play consistently at this level? Probably not. His touch is still inconsistent, his passing is poor, and all he really brings is athleticism and drive. When the game is open, he is dangerous, but when trying to break down a deep-lying defence, his quality is lacking."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/27/arsenal-vs-olympiakos-player-ratings-nightmare/"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">5.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Is he ready to play consistently at this level? Probably not. His touch is still inconsistent, his passing is poor, and all he really brings is athleticism and drive. When the game is open, he is dangerous, but when trying to break down a deep-lying defence, his quality is lacking.</div> </div>
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<p><em>There are no official ratings for Gabriel Martinelli and Sokratis, though it was evident the threat Martinelli posed as soon as he took to the pitch, his movement and intensity causing problems and creating space. Meanwhile, Sokratis let his man do for Olympiakos’ late winner.</em></p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
