Andy’s Player Ratings: Arsenal 3 – 0 Sunderland – Brave Effort But Black Cats Fall Short

Robin Roefs: 6/10

Conceded from pretty much every genuine shot Arsenal had on target, not that he could do anything about them. Typically calm in possession and didn’t look pressured from the home side’s set pieces.

Nordi Mukiele: 8/10

Thought he had a really good game at full back, defended really well and worked so hard down his side.

Dan Ballard: 8/10

Threw himself at everything, usually successfully. Played some nice line breaking passes up the pitch but was doubled team from our set pieces by both Saliba and Gabriel and couldn’t make anything happen.

Omar Alderete: 6/10

Was pretty good defensively, putting in plenty of blocks and doing well aerially but could maybe have got closer to Gyokeres for the second goal and although it wasn’t the cause of the first goal, he did give the ball away cheaply trying to dribble past Madueke.

Reinildo: 8/10

Was good at left back, limiting the effectiveness of Madueke and made some good recovery challenges. Tried to keep up with Martinelli for the third but his attempted block tackle on Gyokeres just missed.

Trai Hume (C): 7/10

Had a couple of issues with Trossard in the first half but came back into it and kept him quiet, used the ball well and found some space in the Arsenal half when we had possession. Showed he had a good long throw too, without them coming to much.

Noah Sadiki: 8/10

Was the holding midfielder again and did a really good job, limiting Arsenal around our box, with how effective he was shown by the space the home side found after he went off.

Enzo Le Fee: 7/10

Good at finding room and a teammate, found a bit of space higher up the pitch at times and linked up play but not quick enough to get out to Zubimendi for the opener.

Habib Diarra: 7/10

Good in possession, helped out defensively and was always busting a good to get up to support Brobbey. Fired one shot at the goalkeeper from a relatively tight angle.

Chemsdine Talbi: 6/10

Came close with a good curling effort in the second half that forced a good save from Raya, quiet going forward for long stretches though but did well to get back and help out.

Brian Brobbey: 8/10

Kept the two centre backs busy all game and single-handedly, so good at holding them off and finding a teammate. Had a good chance to score early on but his goal-bound effort was blocked.

Substitutes

Romaine Mundle: 6/10

Made one good run after coming on, getting around the right hand side and whipping a good cross in.

Lutsharel Geertruida: 6/10

Always open for a pass and kept it simple when he had the ball.

Nilson Angulo: 6/10

Some nice little touches down the right that found a team mate late on and showed he can whip a good free kick in after he picked out Mukiele at the back post.

Wilson Isidor: 6/10

Unfortunately the game was all but gone when he came on and not sure he got a touch.

Man of the Match: Noah Sadiki

Shielded the defence ever so well while he was on the pitch. Was so good at restricting Arsenal’s spaces around the box, often found himself wide and helping out against overloads. The home side found a lot more room once he departed with what appeared to be a little hamstring niggle. Was involved in Talbi’s chance, when he found himself on the edge of the box and played it wide to the winger.