[ad_1]
ARSENAL is in the quarterfinals of the Carabao Cup after a dramatic win in the penalty shootout against Liverpool.
After a lousy 0-0 draw after 90 minutes, it seemed the excitement was being reserved for the pitches from point of view.
4
Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno was the star of the show all night, saving two penalties in the 5-4 sudden death victory.
Joe Willock was left to shoot home the winning penalty that twisted under Adrian’s body.
Here, SunSport’s John hutchinson See how the Arsenal players fared in the Carabao Cup …
Bernd Leno – 9
They didn’t give him a break despite conceding three to Liverpool on Monday, and thank goodness he did.
He made a brilliant save from Diogo Jota right at half-time, and in the second half the barrier prevented Jurgen Klopp’s team from getting ahead well. He also saved the poor Divock Origi penalty.
Cedric Soares – 5
He surprised many Arsenal fans when he signed a long-term permanent contract.
The surprise will not have left them: he offers little in the future and if Bellerin goes to Barcelona, the Gunners have big problems. He scored his kickoff.
Gabriel dos Santos Magalhaes – 8
Positive signs from the new signing in the first half that he wants to get his head into each ball.
He will surely start for Arsenal in their next home game against Sheffield United this weekend.
4
Rob Holding – 6
He needed a great performance after a bit of a mare against the same opponents in the Premier League defeat.
He had a great chance to score in the 70th minute, but his point-blank header was rejected by Adrian.
Sead Kolasinac – 5
Still not sure what his best position is, he played to the left of a back three but didn’t look comfortable and was dragging too often.
But his strength is his great asset, and he probably did enough to keep many of the Liverpool guys from attacking him.
Joe Willock – 5
He barely noticed it in the first 45 and it is surprising that Arteta prefers to persevere with him rather than with Lucas Torreira and Mesut Ozil.
But with Arsenal seemingly wanting to show something of value, Willock held his position well and backed away when necessary.
Granit Xhaka – 6
He showed good strength in the middle of the park, but he really needs to find some passes that divide the defense if he has three center halves to back him up.
This was clearly a game to frustrate opponents, so Xhaka did his job effectively enough.
Nicolas Pepe – 6
He paired well with Saka from an offensive point of view, and had the confidence to run for Liverpool in the first 45.
There is something there and maybe if he can contribute some goals that could help with that. Good pass for Holding in the 70th minute that should have ended in a goal. He was also contained with a precious penalty in the penalty shootout.
4
Dani Ceballos – 6
He’s always likely to start this one after coming off the bench and looking good in the Premier League loss to the Reds.
But he kept quiet when given the chance, and didn’t find many of those passes raked forward.
Bukayo Saka – 7
He made an electric start to the game, no doubt the rebound in his stride coming from being called up to England’s squad.
He offers something in every position he is in, be it left back, left back or forward; played all three on occasions.
Eddie Nketiah – 6
He should have overtaken Arsenal in the opening minutes, but he wanted too much time in the area.
His decent preseason form seems to be gone, for now.
4
Substitutes
Mohamed Elneny (replaced Ceballos, 68) – 6
One of the surprise starters of this season, and sadly he will be remembered as missing his penalty in the penalty shootout.
Alexandre Lacazette (replaced Nketiah, 83) – 6
A short run to stretch your legs. And take the first penalty in the penalty shootout, which he conceded with confidence.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (replaced Saka, 85) – 5
There is no time to make any impact on the proceedings in the 90s. But the calm was epitomized with its delicious grief.
Unused subs: Kieran Tierney, Runar Rúnarsson, David Luiz, Reiss Nelson.
[ad_2]
