Arsenal Ratings: Shakhtar Donetsk, Leandro Struggles
Yo, Gunners! Another Champions League night, another win for Arsenal! We cruised past Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0, but let's be real, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. While the team overall looked sharp, some players definitely had a better night than others. Let's break down the performance with some individual ratings.
The Stars of the Show
Gabriel Jesus (9/10): Dude was on fire! He bagged a brace, including a stunning volley, and he was a constant menace to Shakhtar's defense. He's got that killer instinct we've been missing, and I'm loving the way he's linking up with the rest of the attack.
Martin Ødegaard (8/10): The captain ran the show in midfield, dictating the tempo and creating chances. He set up Jesus' second goal with a sublime through ball, and he's just oozing class.
William Saliba (8/10): Solid as ever, Saliba bossed the backline with ease. He was a brick wall, winning tackles and making crucial interceptions. He's a true leader at the back, and the rest of the defense benefits from his calmness.
Struggles in the Lineup
Leandro Trossard (5/10): Unfortunately, Trossard struggled to make an impact tonight. He lacked the sharpness and dynamism we've seen from him in previous matches. He needs to bounce back quickly, because we need him to be firing on all cylinders.
Fabio Vieira (6/10): Vieira had some bright moments, showing his technical ability and vision, but he also made some questionable decisions and lacked consistency. There's potential there, but he needs to find that rhythm and get more involved in the game.
The Rest of the Pack
Aaron Ramsdale (7/10): A comfortable night for Ramsdale, he didn't have much to do, but he dealt with everything confidently.
Ben White (7/10): A solid performance as always. He's quietly become such a key player for Arsenal.
Granit Xhaka (7/10): Xhaka was his usual combative self, winning tackles and providing energy in midfield.
Bukayo Saka (7/10): Saka was a constant threat down the right flank, providing dangerous crosses and causing havoc for Shakhtar.
Gabriel Martinelli (7/10): Marty was lively throughout, pressing high and linking up well with the other attackers.
The Verdict
Overall, a strong performance from Arsenal, but not without its flaws. While the attack looked deadly, we need Trossard to regain his form and Vieira to unlock his full potential. But hey, a win's a win, and we're top of the group! On to the next one!