TOP GUNS
Arsenal ratings: Granit Xhaka lets Gunners down again with red but White and Gabriel immense to keep Liverpool at bay
ARSENAL earned a heroic 0-0 draw at Anfield despite playing most of their Carabao Cup semi-final with 10 men.
Granit Xhaka let the Gunners down with a ridiculous high challenge on Diogo Jota and was sent off just after 24 minutes.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
Most read in Football
However, the north Londoners' manager Mikel Arteta reacted brilliantly as he switched to a back-five and saw Ben White putting together a stunning performance next to Gabriel.
The tie is now way open as Arsenal are set to host the Reds at the Emirates on Thursday in the return leg.
But who stood out for Arteta's side? Check out SunSport's player ratings below:
AARON RAMSDALE – 6
Another composed performance from the Arsenal goalkeeper, who reacted well when required to.
There was only one dismal clearance in the first half that allowed Jordan Henderson to gain possession and get the chance to open the scoring.
CEDRIC SOARES – N/A
The full-back barely managed 10 minutes on the pitch until he injured his hip and thus can’t be graded.
5
BEN WHITE - 8
Formed a stunning partnership with Gabriel at centre-back and his outstanding performance was critical in Arsenal’s clean sheet success.
White continued to work well when Arteta put him in a back-three, which included Rob Holding, and his positioning as well as alertness didn’t allow him to get a foot wrong.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 7
A rock-solid performance from the Brazilian, who gave very little room for Liverpool’s front three to create dangers.
Would have had the same grade as White if it wasn’t for that careless yellow card in the second half, that could come back to haunt him in the return fixture.
KIERAN TIERNEY – 7
The Scot was solid in defence and caused trouble down the left flank when he attacked.
Tierney is showing he will play a major role in Arsenal’s ambitious future.
5
5
ALBERT SAMBI LOKONGA – 6
Missed a partner in midfield throughout most of the match afteXhaka’s careless red card.
But Lokonga jelled well with Bukayo Saka as well as Gabriel Martinelli in midfield and offered tremendous help at the back.
GRANIT XHAKA – 1
Another game another red card. Arteta was counting on him in midfield considering the lack of options he has after Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ loan as well as Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny playing at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Instead, Xhaka got himself sent off after just 24 minutes with a karate-like kick on Diogo Jota.
BUKAYO SAKA - 7
He was by far Arsenal’s best player in the first half but slowed down in the second as Arteta wanted to do some damage control hoping there would be a clean sheet.
The Gunners mostly defended but Saka was very dangerous when moving forward.
The winger came off with a knock during the dying minutes of the match.
5
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE – 5
Arsenal didn’t get the chance to attack much during the game as they were playing with a man down.
However, Lacazette didn’t offer anything special during a rare Gunners attack.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Played in a rather unfamiliar role in midfield as he was required to offer assistance to Lokonga.
Nevertheless, Martinelli carried himself well, especially during Liverpool’s dangerous attacks.
EDDIE NKETIAH – 5
The Carabao Cup specialist didn’t get to shine this time as he only managed 28 minutes on the pitch.
Nketiah didn’t create any danger to Liverpool’s defence, but was sacrificed because of Xhaka’s dismissal and Arteta’s decision to change the formation to a 5-3-1 with Lacazette leading the line.
5
SUB – CALUM CHAMBERS – 6
Struggled in the first half as he had to fill in for the injured Cedric and Andy Robertson gave him a hard time.
But Chambers pulled it together in the second half and helped Arsenal pick up an important draw ahead of the return fixture at the Emirates.
SUB- ROB HOLDING - 7
Came on to boost Arsenal’s defence after Xhaka’s red card and was part of the visitors’ back five.
A solid performance that helped the Gunners keep Liverpool’s front three quiet.
SUB – NUNO TAVARES - N/A
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Came on after 81 minutes and therefore can’t be graded as he didn’t spend much time on the pitch
⚽ Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals
Topics