Player Ratings as Arsenal Beat Girona to Reach UEFA Champions League Last 16

Yahoo

29-01-2025

Arsenal's journey in this season's UEFA Champions League took a promising turn with a 2-1 victory against Girona, securing their spot in the last 16. This win not only underscores their campaign ambitions but also highlights their ability to turn the game around under pressure.
Despite the initial setback with Girona taking the lead through Arnaut Danjuma, Arsenal's resilience shone brightly. The North London club, already assured of at least a play-off round appearance, needed a win to bypass the knockout play-offs and they responded emphatically. Jorginho's calm penalty and a remarkable effort from the young prodigy Ethan Nwaneri, flipping the script before half-time, showcased Arsenal's lethal efficiency in crucial moments.
The match wasn't without its drama towards the end. Girona almost levelled the score with a late goal from Cristhian Stuani, but it was disallowed for offside. Adding to the high tension, Raheem Sterling missed a penalty in stoppage time, which could have put the game beyond doubt.
Arsenal's tactical flexibility was on full display, adapting to the early challenge posed by Girona. Mikel Arteta's decision to utilise his squad's depth and youthful energy, particularly in the form of Nwaneri, paid dividends. This match further underlined Arteta's prowess in managing game situations and his players' commitment to the tactical blueprint.
Girona, on the other hand, despite their spirited start, couldn't sustain the pressure. Their early lead through Danjuma's initiative showed their capability to challenge top teams, but maintaining that intensity for the full 90 minutes remains a work in progress.
Reflecting on individual contributions, here's how the players fared:
GK: Neto – 6
RB: Thomas Partey – 7
CB: Jakub Kiwior – 7
CB: Gabriel – 7
LB: Riccardo Calafiori – 8
CM: Martin Odegaard (c) – 8
CM: Jorginho – 8
CM: Mikel Merino – 8
RW: Ethan Nwaneri – 8
ST: Leandro Trossard – 8
LW: Raheem Sterling – 7
Substitutes: Jurrien Timber – 7, Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7, Kai Havertz – 6, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli not rated.
GK: Pau Lopez – 8
RB: Arnau Martinez – 6
CB: Antal Yaakobishvili – 6
CB: Juanpe (c) – 7
LB: Alejandro Frances – 6
CM: Ivan Martin – 7
CM: Oriol Romeu – 7
RM: Yaser Asprilla – 6
AM: Viktor Tsyhankov – 6
LM: Arnaut Danjuma – 8
ST: Abel Ruiz – 6
Substitutes: Cristhian Stuani – 6, Jhon Solis – 6, Yangel Herrera – 6, Donny van de Beek – 6, Cristian Portu – 6.
As Arsenal progresses to the latter stages of the Champions League, their performance against Girona will be seen as a critical point in their season's narrative. The ability to overcome adversity and secure crucial wins will be vital as they face tougher opponents.
Girona, while disappointed, can take heart from their performance. Competing with the likes of Arsenal and making them work hard for their win demonstrates the progress they are making on the European stage.