[Player Ratings] Arsenal 2-0 Lazio – Gunners Secure Comfortable Win In Final Match Of Preseason

Arsenal secured a relatively comfortable 2-0 win over Lazio in the final match of their pre-season.

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Matchday: Team News – Player Ratings – Match Highlights
Match: Arsenal v Lazio
Stadium: Friends Arena, Stockholm
Kick-Off (GMT): Sat 4 August 19:00
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It was a much-changed starting lineup which Unai Emery named for Arsenal’s final match of the preseason. It certainly felt like it given the side’s scattered, somewhat lethargic opening stages.

The Gunners couldn’t create much in terms of clear opportunities in the early exchanges save a couple of half chances for Alex Iwobi and

But eventually, the Gunners grabbed a goal. Iwobi broke clear down the left flank but his driven shot rebounded off the post. Fortunately, Reiss Nelson was on hand to convert the follow-up and continue his fine preseason form.

Arsenal continued to push on in the remaining 45 minutes but the best chances came at the other end as Leno was fortunate enough to see a shot rebound off his crossbar.

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The Gunners pressed forward after the break but it took a few substitutions for the match to really open up. The Gunners made four substitutes and finally grabbed a second goal in the moments which followed.

A storming run from Mohamed Elneny resulted in Alexandre Lacazette picking up the ball with his back to goal. He laid it off to the substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who took a couple of touches before curling the ball into the far corner via a deflection.

It killed the match as far as Lazio were concerned and the Gunners simply controlled proceedings in the final 20 minutes. A comfortable victory for Unai Emery’s men.

Here’s how we rate the Arsenal players:

Bernd Leno – 7

He played well. Although, Bernd Leno had a great deal more to do with the ball at his feet than in his hands.

Stephan Lichtsteiner – 6.5

Stephan Lichtsteiner looked sharp on his Arsenal debut. The Swiss international showcased that well-known aggression and passion in just a short appearance.

Sub: Hector Bellerin (62′) – 6.5

He looked lively after coming on as a sub. A good cameo from Hector Bellerin.

Calum Chambers – 6

He was fine. Calum Chambers was barely tested but looked solid enough defensively.

Sub: Sokratis Papastathopoulos (78′) – 6

Barely noticeable. Sokratis had very little to do.

Rob Holding – 7

Rob Holding did well. The Englishman was composed on the ball and covered well at the back.

Sub: Dinos Mavropanos (78′) – 6

A very quiet cameo.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6.5

Ainsley Maitland-Niles did well enough playing at left-back. He will surely start in next week’s Premier League opener.

Lucas Torreira – 6

He was fine. Lucas Torreira didn’t have the busiest match in defensive midfield but was solid enough on the ball.

Sub: Mohamed Elneny (62′) – 6

He was fine. Mohamed Elneny lost the ball a few more times than he would have liked but will be pleased enough.

Granit Xhaka – 6

He was fine. Much like his midfield partner Lucas Torreira, Granit Xhaka didn’t have a great deal to do in the middle of the park.

Sub: Mesut Ozil (62′) – 6

A quiet cameo from Mesut Ozil.

Reiss Nelson – 5

Reiss Nelson couldn’t really get going, despite grabbing the opening goal of the match. His touch was sloppy and he dawdled in possession.

Sub: Matteo Guendouzi (45′) – 7

He played well after coming at half-time. Matteo Guendouzi was excellent on the ball yet again and is surely in with a strong chance of starting next week.

Alex Iwobi – 7

Alex Iwobi played well for much of his hour on the pitch. The Nigerian international looked good on the ball and was a danger to the Lazio backline. He’s had a solid pre-season.

Sub: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (62′) – 7

Henrikh Mkhitaryan looked sharp after coming on as a substitute. His passing was crisp and he made the right decisions.

Eddie Nketiah – 6

He was okay. Eddie Nketiah looked sharp but didn’t appear all that comfortable with the formation the Gunners were playing.

Sub: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (45′) – 7

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed another goal during pre-season and looked solid after coming on at half-time.