Rapid Vienna vs Arsenal player ratings and three things we learned about Leno, Nketiah and Gabriel

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The history books will show Arsenal were 2-1 winners, but this was hardly a vintage display. Since Mikel Arteta took over as Arsenal manager last December there haven’t been many sub-par performances, but this was one.

In a word, Arsenal were sloppy. Rapid Vienna’s solitary goal typified that as Taxiarchis Fountas intercepted goalkeeper Bernd Leno’s pass to score to the delight of the 3,000 home fans in attendance.

Arsenal have always played out from the back under Arteta – and they will no doubt continue to do so – but it comes with its risks. When the team are off their game, like they were on Thursday night, than they can easily be punished.

The Gunners managed to turn things around, thanks largely to the introduction of second-half substitutes Hector Bellerin and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but they make hard work of this. David Luiz’s header from Nicolas Pepe’s free-kick levelled the game, before Aubameyang tapped home Bellerin’s cut-back to complete the comeback.

That ensured Arsenal left Austria with all three points, but Arteta and his coaching staff will know they can be much better than this – and they will need to be against Leicester City on Sunday.

Nketiah experiment out wide fails again

AFP via Getty Images

There is no denying that Eddie Nketiah has the potential to develop into a dangerous striker. Indeed earlier this month he notched his 14th goal for England’s Under-21s, breaking a record previously set by none other than Alan Shearer. The jury, though, remains well and truly out as to whether he can operate as a wide forward.

Nketiah was deployed there for this match against Vienna, starting on the left flank, but he failed to get into the game. It was the same story against Aston Villa towards the back end of last season, when the 21-year-old started out right. Again, he failed to shine.

The blame shouldn’t really fall on Nketiah’s shoudlers for that. If he has shown anything since breaking into the Arsenal first team it is that he’s a poacher. The youngster is at his best in the six-yard box and playing him out wide just doesn’t get the most out of what he can offer the team.

Runarsson’s wait for Arsenal debut goes on

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

There was some debate before the season started as to who was Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper, but not now. Following the departure of Emi Martinez to Aston Villa, Leno has undisputedly established himself as the club’s No1 and newcomer Runar Alex Runarsson is well and truly a back-up.

One thought this match against Rapid Vienna could be the ideal time for the Iceland international to make his debut - and given Leno's shaky performance perhaps it should have been.

REUTERS

The 25-year-old, however, was left on the bench and it is hard to see when Runarsson will be called into action if he can’t make the starting XI for a Europa League group game.

It does also justify Martinez’s decision to leave. Arteta seems set on Leno playing nearly all the games this season and as a result Martinez would never have got the game time he wants. Perhaps, in the end, it was best for all parties he moved on for £20m this summer.

Player Ratings

AP

Arsenal (4-3-3): Leno 4; Cedric 5 (’61 Bellerin, 6), Luiz 6, Gabriel 7, Kolasinac 6; Elneny 6, Partey 7, Saka 7 (’84 Tierney 6); Pepe 5, Lacazette 5 (’84 Willock 6), Nketiah 5 (’61 Aubameyang 7).

Subs not used: Runarsson, Macey, Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Nelson, Xhaka.

Star man, Gabriel 7: Another solid performance from the centre-back, who looks brilliant value at around £25m.

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