Arsenal player ratings vs Nurnberg: Saka and White superb, but Hein struggles
Arsenal kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against Nurnberg in Germany on Thursday night.
Bukayo Saka opened the scoring early on as Mikel Arteta’s side dominated, but the visitors couldn’t find a second goal, with Gabriel Jesus and Folarin Balogun missing great chances early in the second half.
A bizarre Jorginho own goal, when a poor pass out from goalkeeper Karl Hein put him under pressure, gifted Nurnberg an equaliser out of nothing and the hosts held on for a draw, with Balogun wasting a golden opportunity to win it for Arsenal in the final minute when he fired into the side-netting after rounding the keeper.
Arsenal player ratings
Aaron Ramsdale: Barely involved due to Arsenal’s first half dominance. Made one good stop to cut out a cross from the right. 6
Ben White: Didn’t stop working. Was a constant outlet down the right hand side. Got the assist for Saka’s goal. Impressive. 8
William Saliba: Cruised through the first half untested. Great to see him back. 6
Gabriel Magalhaes: Saw a lot of the ball over on the left. Never had to get out of second gear. 6
Jakub Kiwior: Played in the Zinchenko role. Didn’t look entirely comfortable at times. 6
Thomas Partey: Comfortable night’s work. Controlled the midfield without breaking sweat. 7
Fabio Vieira: Brought into the side at the very last minute due to Odegaard’s injury. Had a few nice touches and linked up well with Saka and White. 7
Leandro Trossard: Very bright start, but faded during the latter stages of the first half. Limped off soon after the interval. 6
Reiss Nelson: Never really got into the game as most of Arsenal’s play went down the right. 6
Eddie Nketiah: Could maybe have done better with one early chance when he was closed down before he could get his shot away. His movement was good. 6
Bukayo Saka: Started where he left off last season. Superb goal to open the scoring. Always a threat and unlucky not to score more before being replaced at half-time. 8
Substitutes
Karl Hein: Really didn’t help Jorginho with the pass that led to the own goal. Spilled a powerful effort which almost led to a second for Nurnberg. 4
Cedric Soares: Went close to making it 2-0 when he curled an effort past the far post. Set piece delivery was poor. 5
Kieran Tierney: Very bright. Got forward well when he could. One of the stand out Arsenal players during a disjointed second half. 7
Jorginho: Scored a bizarre own goal to make it 1-1 after Hein’s pass put him under pressure. 5
Kai Havertz: Played in a midfield role, but never really got into the game. 5
Gabriel Jesus: Missed a good chance with his left foot after getting behind the defence. 5
Folarin Balogun: Had a great opportunity to make it 2-0, but his shot from an angle hit the post. Then had an even better chance to win it in the last minute, but sent his effort into the side-netting after going around the keeper. 5
Ethan Nwaneri: The 16-year-old produced some superb touches. Didn’t look out of place at all. 7
Auston Trusty: Came on for his first Arsenal appearance. Was booked for one late challenge. 5
Reuell Walters: Put one header over the bar late on. Made a great block in stoppage time. 6
Myles Lewis-Skelly: Brilliant pass to set up Balogun’s chance in the final minute. 6