Arsene Wenger bids farewell to Arsenal and the fans with a typical ‘One-Nil’ victory over Huddersfield, collecting the first away points of 2018 in the process.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s first-half strike was the difference between the two sides as Arsenal finally recorded their first away victory of 2018. The win meant a sweet ending for Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal managerial career.
The win, however, did not come easy as Huddersfield were the better of the attacking sides for most parts of the game. Aubameyang’s penalty box skills came in handy and proved to be the difference maker as Arsenal secured an archetypical 1-0 win over their opponents.
Wenger departs after managing 1235 games in all competition for Arsenal and will leave a strong legacy behind for the future appointee to follow. Arsenal, with the win, ensured a happy ending for their manager and typically ending the season on a good note.
How did Arsenal players rate in Wenger’s last game?
David Ospina – 8/10
David Ospina had one of the best games of his Arsenal career to date and made a tremendous contribution to ensure Arsenal ended with all three points. His handling and distribution of the ball were superb, and some special moments including a brilliant save of Tom Ince’s shot and a Depoitre header which was saved off the line in deep injury time. Man of the Match.
Hector Bellerin – 6/10
Arsenal defenders, including Bellerin, were kept busy by Huddersfield throughout the match. This meant Bellerin was afforded few chances to go forward and join the attack, although he was pretty tidy in defence all night. A reliable, if not the dynamic performance from the Spaniard.
Shkodran Mustafi – 6/10
Huddersfield’s attack mostly came from the middle, meaning Mustafi was always on his toes protecting the goal. He was beaten sometimes in the air by Mounie and Depoitre, but held his ground to block and tackle out some chances.
Rob Holding – 4.5/10
Holding was the culprit on some occasions in giving the ball away cheaply and failed to contain the threat of Mounie, Depoitre and the lethal Pritchard for most of the game. Did make some decent contribution towards keeping a clean sheet in the end.
Sead Kolasinac – 5/10
Performed well against Huddersfield and got forward well. Most of Arsenal’s attack came either from the centre or his side, so was very much involved, unlike Bellerin, but was also good in defence.
Granit Xhaka – 6/10
Struggled with Huddersfield’s pressing for much of the game, yet tried his best to move the ball forward and into the attacking areas. Overall was a tidy presence in midfield and tried his best to keep the team ticking.
Aaron Ramsey – 5.5/10
Apart from some loose link-up play and playing most of the game out of position, Ramsey did make a telling contribution by assisting Aubameyang for the only goal of the game. He spent most of the game in a forward position, meaning he gave little or no support for Xhaka in central midfield.
Alex Iwobi – 5/10
Iwobi’s somewhat unconvincing performance was a result of Ramsey’s erratic positioning, as the Nigerian was left to do with Ramsey’s work as well. Huddersfield’s top-notch pressing game often targeted Iwobi, and he subsequently lost the ball on many occasions. Not a bad performance per se, but not his usual self.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 5/10
Mkhitaryan was in the thick of things whenever Arsenal tried to attack or go forward. However, he worked today but did not succeed for most parts. He did create some interesting chances, but all were fruitless.
Alexandre Lacazette – 6/10
Very good on the ball, especially when he came deep and did tremendously well against Huddersfield. Lacazette’s link-up play was better today, and he had chances to score, especially the one where he chipped the ball into Lossl’s hand in the second half.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 7/10
Is he the penalty box predator Arsenal have been wanting for years now? Another goal inside the box for the Gabonese and the only strike of the entire match to gift Arsene Wenger a win on his last ever game as Arsenal manager. It will be interesting to see how he performs next season.
Substitutes –
Danny Welbeck – 6/10
He has somewhat proved he deserves a new contract. A threat when he his fit and some massive improvements in his game of late are visible. Welbeck’s runs have improved, gets into right positions but finishing needs more polishing. Missed a glorious chance, although instead of trying to pass it to Lacazette he went for a somewhat tricky finish.
Nacho Monreal – 5/10
Sent to shore up things due to his experience as he replaced Kolasinac. On one occasion Mounie sent a ball inside him to Mooy who struck the post, but apart from that, he was grand.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 5/10
Sent in to add some energy in the midfield as he came on in place of Alex Iwobi. Could have cost Arsenal all three points after conceding a free-kick in a promising area, one of which Depoitre’s header just missed by a few inches, thanks to Ospina’s brilliant save.
