Arsenal ratings: Odegaard back to his best but Ben White won’t be winning back his starting spot any time soon
ARSENAL continued their impressive start to the season with a professional 2-0 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League.
Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Buakyo Saka at polar ends of the game ensured the Gunners made it two wins from two in Europe.
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Martinelli made the most of some fortune after just 12 minutes as he tapped in the ball following a rebound off the post which presented itself to him basically on the line.
The Greek visitors threatened to create their own odyssey in north London as they forced David Raya into an excellent save at full stretch.
But super sub Saka proved to be their Achilles’ heel as he squeezed a second goal through the legs of Konstantinos Tzolakis in injury time.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners at the Emirates.
DAVID RAYA – 8/10
Another Champions League wonder save for the collection, tipping over brilliantly from Daniel Podence’s curled volley from 10 yards out in the first half.
Also made two lightning-fast reaction stops after the break. He barely has to do anything, but when called upon he never lets you down. Surely he needs to be considered one of Europe’s very best?
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 7
Looked like a man with a point to prove and did so with a confident performance for a teenager who has been forced to watch from the sidelines for most of this term with Riccardo Calafiori preferred at left-back.
At 18, he already looks so at home on the European stage. Arteta will have a selection headache on his hands for this weekend.
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WILLIAM SALIBA – 6
Has been in the spotlight after signing a new five-year deal, but had a few nervy moments at the back letting long balls bounce, putting the back four under pressure.
Yet as he always does, the Frenchman recovered well.
GABRIEL – 6
Not troubled much but was almost caught out with a looping cross that saw Olympiacos level only to be saved by the offside flag.
BEN WHITE – 5
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Received a rollocking from Arteta when taking a throw-in about his positioning and movement on the ball, and the Englishman gave some back in a worrying exchange.
This was a chance to try and usurp Timber as Arteta’s first-choice right-back, but he just looks off the pace and is reliant on right-side pal Saka to look good in attack.
At this rate, White will not be winning back his starting jersey any time soon.
MARTIN ZUBIMENDI – 7
He may be small, and a pest, but his influence is mighty. There is a reason Arteta barely ever rests him.
Tough in the tackle, accurate on the ball and the middle-man between defence and attack, giving Odegaard license to roam and dictate wherever he pleases.
It’s been said before, but he will turn out to be one of Arteta’s most important signings in his Arsenal tenure.
MIKEL MERINO – 6
Some good moments on and off the ball, adding a bit of bite to midfield, but also some moments where his final pass or attacking intent could have been better.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 9
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Has his zip back, constantly creating in dangerous areas and covering every blade of grass with a purpose.
So unlucky not to double Arsenal’s lead inside the final 10 minutes and then picked up an assist for Saka in stoppage time.
Some more minutes in the tank after his shoulder issues is good to see as Arteta tries to get him back to the form that saw him notch goals and assists for fun in recent years.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 8
After shining off the bench for the majority of the season – starting just three times so far – he got his chance from the off to prove he can be the main man.
It did not start brilliantly, nodding a header wide unmarked from a few yards out before finding the net with an even easier chance that came off the post.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 7
Lively down the left. Looks to be enjoying getting more regular game time in an Arsenal shirt, and is becoming more and more useful to Arteta as he tries to rotate his talented squad much more than he usually does.
Wasted a few openings in the second half.
VIKTOR GYOKERES – 6
He continues to do the dirty work with little reward, bumping off two Olympiacos defenders and seeing his shot go through the keeper and onto the base of the post before Martinelli snatched the spoils.
Wasted several chances in front of goal but his link-up play has much improved since he first joined. The goals will surely start flowing soon…
SUBS:
DECLAN RICE (MERINO, 58) – 6
A few nice deliveries from set-pieces but booked for a silly studs-up challenge. Brought on purely to see out the win, and he did that comfortably.
JURRIEN TIMBER (WHITE, 58) – 6
One of Arteta’s most trusted players. Exudes calmness whenever he is on the pitch.
BUKAYO SAKA (TROSSARD, 72) – 8
An instant threat and his driving run and cross should have led to Arsenal’s second before doing just that with a drilled strike through the legs of the keeper
EBERECHI EZE (MARTINELLI, 72) – 6
A few nice touches, but also a few stray passes. Spent most of his time tracking back as Arsenal held on late into the game.
MOSQUERA (GABRIEL, 74) – 6
Was put under a lot of pressure with Olympiacos sending cross after cross into the box with time ticking away, but dealt with it well.
He needed that after his mistake at St James’ Park led to Newcastle taking the lead, and also led to him being hooked at half time.
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