FC Nurnberg 1-1 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners held opening friendly
Arsenal drew 1-1 with FC Nurnberg in their first pre-season friendly of 2023.
It wasn’t long before the Gunners scored their first goal of their summer and it came with the left boot from a well known source. A signature run by Bukayo Saka was too much for Nürnberg to send the England international home from the penalty area.
A new look XI took to the field for the second half as Mikel Arteta made six substitutions while nine of the starters were substituted on the hour.
The personnel change certainly hampered the Gunners’ speaking skills, however, and Nürnberg equalized courtesy of a hospital pass from Karl Hein that killed Jorginho, conceding a long-range own goal. The hosts then hit the woodwork after Hein spilled a thunderous try from distance, with Arsenal struggling to create after Gabriel Jesus and Folarin Balogun came close before Nürnberg equalised. The latter then had a great chance to win, but his attempt went into the side net after one lap. the Guardian.
And as a result, Arsenal could not start the summer with a win.
FC Nuremberg 1-1 Arsenal player ratings
Here are Arsenal’s player ratings from Arsenal’s summer-opening friendly
Goalkeepers and defenders
Aaron Ramsdale (PO)-5/10-he Had nothing to do while there.
Ben White (RB) – 6.5/10 – Dynamic first half at right back who quickly re-established his excellent relationship with Saka on that wing.
William Saliba (CB) – 6.5/10 – It was a pleasant surprise to see this kid back in the XI. God, he’s good.
Gabriel (CB) – 6/10 – Arsenal’s defensive rock last season was unaffected by a Nuremberg side offering little possession to start the game.
Jakub Kiwior (LB)-6/10-Kiwior went full for Zinchenko for this one as he was instructed to make a left. I see the potential and he has started well but the Pole still has a long way to go before he can fill this role in a more competitive environment.
Midfielders
Thomas Partey (DM) – 6/10 – It was a sloppy start within ten minutes of Partey but the Ghanaian built up in the match before pulling away.
Leandro Trossard (CM)-7/10-I really supported the use of Trossard in midfield, and in Germany it paid off. The Belgian was technically safe all the way and was able to blend in well with the people around him. He didn’t miss a beat.
Fabio Vieira (CM) – 10/5 – Caught late through injury by Martin Odegaard, Vieira sometimes falls well down the right, but again doesn’t do enough to establish himself in the game.
Forward
Bukayo Saka (RW) – 7.5/10 – Arsenal’s strongest spark in the first 45 minutes and was kicked in the air after giving the visitors the lead. Football is back, folks.
Eddie Nketiah (ST) – 4/10 – He was only one of two players to play for more than an hour, but Nketiah struggled in Germany.
Reiss Nelson (LW) – 5/10 – There were bright but few notable moments during his 45-minute cameo.
Substitutes
Kieran Tierney – 6/10
Kai Havertz – 5/10
Gabriel Jesus – 5.5/10
Jorginho – 5/10
Karl Hein – 3/10
Cedric Soares – 3/10
Folarin Balogun – 5/10
Ethan Nwaneri – 7/10
Aaron Trusty – 4/10
Reull Walters – 6/10
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 5.5/10