Hi and welcome to our player ratings for our game against Fulham. It was very good performance from Arsenal winning the game 3-0. We started very well and we played with a lot of confidence, determination and belief. One hing that stands out from this game was the way we defended, no Arsenal fan has ever been so comfortable with Arsenal’s defense since Mikel Arteta took over.

The game itself was a bit tricky. The first half was a bit flat most of our players were not up to speed and we didn’t manage to do enough when we had the ball. But we were brilliant the way we played without the ball, we closed down everything and came back stronger in the second half. It was a comfortable Premier League opener for Arsenal and we had a lot of outstanding players on the field. Gabriel and Willian made their debuts and we also had the return of Elneny. All 3 players played very well and contributed heavily to the win.

Lets get into the player ratings

Leno
Very comfortable afternoon for him. Great welcome back performance and a clean sheet to his name.
8/10

Holding
It’s starting to look like he’s getting back to where he was before suffering a long term injury at Manchester United in 2018. He played very well and complemented newcomer Gabriel very well. He dealt with every threat.
7/10

Gabriel
What a player. Still just 22. Arteta said he didn’t play a competitive match in about 6 months, but he came in and put in a Man of the Match performance. Despite almost running into trouble in the early minutes of the match, he was one of the most outstanding players on the pitch and scored an important second goal too.
9/10

Tierney
What a guy, he has so much confidence and play with no nonsense. Did all the basic very well got his positioning very well and was outstanding the entire game. Him Maitland-Niles and Gabriel kept the left side solid.
8/10

Bellerin
Bellerin did well it was his pass to Elneny during the build up that lead to the Aubameyang goal. He did something similar in the Community Shield game. He has been brilliant going forward and he track back well to help out Holding.
8/10

Maitland-Niles
Another good performance from the Hale End graduate. He has become an important player in Arteta’s new system. Running everywhere on the left side of the field. His movement caused Fulham a lot of trouble as they couldn’t mark him. Defended well and went forward well linking play between Tierney and Aubameyang.
8/10

Elneny
Solid performance from the Egyptian he and Xhaka were superb in that midfield closing down everything. He did the basic very well out of possession and was very clean in possession as well. Does’t hold onto the ball long.
8/10

Xhaka
Another solid performance from the former captain. Xhaka is Arsenal’s engine when he’s not there we look lost. His distribution was on point. But what stood out was his work rate off the ball. Just like Elneny, he had a solid game in midfield.
8/10

Willian
Very professional debut for Willian. He played very well, helped Bellerin out on the right wing and drove into midfield to make up numbers. He was involved in all three goals and left the game with 2 assists.
9/10

Aubameyang
Auba worked hard on the left wing with Maitland-Niles and Tierney helping out when we didn’t have the ball. He made good run getting himself in good goal scoring positions. Could have left the field with a brace. But it was great first game for the captain.
8/10

Lacazette
Laca always bring the work rate, link up play very well. He’s very important when we built from the back as he drop down into midfield and help retain possession. He scored the first goal as well.
8/10