Arsenal ratings: Gabriel Jesus shines again, Granit Xhaka looked lost and William Saliba not quite the finished article | The Sun
MIKEL ARTETA'S side tasted defeat for the first time this season at Old Trafford.
Manchester United's £85million new signing Antony opened the scoring, before Bukayo Saka got the Gunners back in it.
But a Marcus Rashford double condemned the Gunners to defeat.
There were problems for Arteta both in midfield in defence, which Erik ten Hag's side gleefully exploited.
The Gunners enjoyed large spells of dominance, but were caught out by the Red Devils as Arteta and Co were reminded what defeat feels like.
Here's how SunSport's Giacomo Pisa rated the Arsenal stars this afternoon.
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Aaron Ramsdale – 6
Couldn't do anything about Antony's precise finish into the bottom corner for the first goal.
Maybe could have come out for the second, but again couldn't do anything as the ball took a deflection off Ben White to go in past him.
Ben White – 5
Eager to get out to Jadon Sancho as soon as the ball went into his feet, not giving him any time.
But the fact he is not a natural right-back does hinder Arsenal going forward, with the defender reluctant to bomb forward and overlap around Saka.
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William Saliba – 4
Booked on 25 minutes when Jadon Sancho was too quick for him.
Showed hesitation to stand off Rashford for United's opener, which allowed the forward to slide it out for Antony to score.
Was then caught in a tangle for United's second, guilty of being flat-footed when the ball was played in behind him for Rashford to run on to.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 5
Struggled to deal with the physicality of Cristiano Ronaldo when the Portuguese striker was introduced on the hour mark.
Too big of a gap between him and and Saliba for United's second, which allowed Rashford to steal in and score.
Then for the third he came charging out of defence to try and win the ball off Ronaldo, leaving space for Eriksen to run in to and set up Rashford.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6
Left Antony for the opening goal, drawn infield to try and stop Rashford instead of sticking with his man.
Drifted into the middle of the park to try and affect the game and does offer more than Kieran Tierney going forward.
Granit Xhaka – 5
Was nowhere to be seen for either United goal – both of which came from balls through the middle.
He was also guilty of being dispossessed too easily in the middle, and committing a number of needless fouls.
That only played into United's favour and broke up the game after they took the lead.
Albert Sambi Lokonga – 5
Very lucky to go unpunished for a rash challenge on Bruno Fernandes in the first-half.
Seemed as though he was out of his depth, and struggled to keep up with the pace of the game.
Like Xhaka, the midfielder was nowhere to be seen in the middle for either of United's goals.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Finally got off the mark for the season when he levelled the scores in the second half.
After a below par first 45 minutes, the winger grew into the game more in the second half.
Turned down a golden opportunity to shoot in the first half in favour of a difficult pass to Odegaard, despite being free in the box to pull the trigger with his favoured left foot.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Close to unlocking the United defence on a number of occasions.
Should have had an assist when put the ball on a plate for Martinelli at the back post, only for his team-mate to head straight at David De Gea.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
Expertly finished past De Gea but saw the goal disallowed by a foul by Odegaard on Christian Eriksen.
Should have scored again when heading straight at De Gea, but the winger was a lively presence throughout.
Gabriel Jesus – 8
Despite not being the biggest of strikers, his hold-up play was superb and all Arsenal's play went through him.
The ball stuck to him like glue, which helped get his team up the pitch and relieve pressure on the defence.
Equaliser came through the striker being a nuisance in the box, with Diogo Dalot poking the ball straight to Saka to try and stop Jesus from shooting.
Substitutes
Emile Smith Rowe (On for Odegaard, 73 mins) – 5
Another cameo off the bench for the forward where he couldn't impact the game.
Fabio Vieira (On for Lokonga, 74 mins) – 5
Handed his debut by Mikel Arteta in far from ideal circumstances.
And defeat Arsenal's midfield struggling, did nothing to suggest he should be starting the next game.
Eddie Nketiah (On for Zinchenko, 74 mins) – 5
Thrown on to play alongside Gabriel Jesus.
Had one half chance in the box but aside from that failed to threaten.
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