Analysis on Arsenal players rated in the first half against Barcelona
BERND LENO: Had very little to do in the opening 45 minutes, but what he did do was done tidily without any real cause for concern among his defenders. 6
AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES: Provided some of the brightest moments going forward for Arsenal so far with surging runs down the right and ocassionally cutting inside but couldn't quite find a finishing pass. 7
CALLUM CHAMBERS: Didn't have much to do but was fairly tidy and was never really at fault when Barcelona did manage to get into good attacking positions. 5
SOKRATIS: Let Antoinne Griezmann know he was there early on and remained his solid usual self out of possession, looked a little unsure passing out from very deep. 6
NACHO MONREAL: Found out on a couple of occassions by Nelson Semedo and had to be bailed out by both Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson. 5
GRANIT XHAKA: Xhaka didn't do much except give away an unnecessary foul when Arsenal were on a promising attack and wildly misplace a pass to let Barcelona in for their first real chance. 4
JOE WILLOCK: Appeared to be absolutely everywhere on the pitch, helped out going forward keeping moves going and tidied up repeatedly in defence, especially with one last ditch block from Dembele. 7
HENRIKH MKHITARYAN: Kept fairly quiet by Jordi Alba but did draw the Barcelona left back into a couple of silly fouls and a yellow card. Also gave Maitland-Niles a good pivot to work off. 6
MESUT OZIL: Picked out the perfect pass for the opening goal and kept the game moving forward in the early stages when Barcelona seemed a little unsure of themselves. 6
REISS NELSON: Started brightly down the left hand side and had Semedo in bother both going forward and in defence but faded as the half wore on. 6
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG: Was a constant source of running for the youngsters in the side to latch onto, a little wasteful early on but grew into the game quickly and scored an absolute rocket to give Arsenal a deserved lead. 8
ARSENAL SECOND HALF PLAYER RATINGS
BERND LENO: He had to be bailed out by Willock when he over-committed. Made some good saves though. 5
AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES: After such a good first half this was a real Jekyll and Hyde game for the young right-back. The awful own goal was just the tip of a disappointing iceberg for him this half that saw his usual strengths going forward nullified. 3
CALLUM CHAMBERS: Barcelona appeared to find him out in the second half, drawing him slightly out of position to create space around the box. Was almost as at fault as Shkodran Mustafi for Luis Suarez's winner. 4
SOKRATIS: After taking a knock he seemed to find it harder to keep up with the game but was still the strongest part of Arsenal's back four defensively. 6
SEAD KOLASINAC: Gave Arsenal a better option than Nacho Monreal had in the first half. Provided more solidity in defence and was more of a threat going forward. 6
GRANIT XHAKA: Was far tidier in the second half and he helped to organise things while Arsenal were under the cosh at the start of the half. 5
JOE WILLOCK: Frustrated Barcelona throughout, was a threat going forward and a real thorn in their side in defence. His goal line clearance with Leno beaten was a particular highlight. 8
HENRIKH MKHITARYAN: Did next to nothing before being subbed off in this half. 4
MESUT OZIL: With Arsenal spending most of the time defending while he was on in the second half there was not much for Ozil to do but he tried to creat chances to get forward when he could. 6
MATTEO GUENDOUZI: Looked tidy early on in the half but as Barcelona took tighter control he went missing more often than he should in such an important position. 5
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG: Wasn't able to create the same threat he did in the first half but still worked hard and was unlucky to have a golden chance stolen from him by Gabriel Martinelli. 6
SUBSTITUTES:
DANI CEBALLOS (ON FOR WILLOCK): Gave fans a scare when he was fouled heavily by Lenglet but was able to get back to it and provide a calming influence to the midfield while others were panicking. 6
GABRIEL MARTINELLI (ON FOR OZIL): Stole a dream opportunity right off the boot of Aubameyang and didn't do a whole lot else. 5
BUKAYO SAKA (ON FOR MKHITARYAN): Worked hard and was a much-needed creative spark for Arsenal going forward as Barcelona tried to put their authority on the game. 7
EDDIE NKETIAH (ON FOR AUBAMEYANG): Worked hard but wasn't on long enough to make a difference. N/A