PSV 1-1 Arsenal: Player Ratings

Eddie Nketiah’s excellent first half strike was cancelled out by Yorbe Vertessen as both sides played out a draw in their Champions League dead rubber.

The final game of Group B ended honours even after both sides made wholesale changes, with Mikel Arteta making eight changes and Peter Bosz enacting five. 

Find out who impressed at the Phillips Stadion on Tuesday evening as both sides prepare for the draw for the Round of 16 to be made early next week after the Gunners ended top on 13 points, four in front of second place PSV.

That Aaron Ramsdale has played well hasn’t he

— Layth (@laythy29) December 12, 2023

Arsenal Player Ratings:

Aaron Ramsdale: 7.5/10 - Excellent blocks and saves in the first half but had no chance when 22-year-old Belgian international Yorbe Vertessen fired past him five minutes after the interval

Cedric: 7/10 - Drafted in by Mikel Arteta to help solidify the backline ahead of young academy stars Reuell Walters and Lino Sousa. Credited with a pre-assist for Eddie Nketiah’s strike

William Saliba: 7/10 - Did enough to put Vertessen off in the box after Bakayoko’s early cross put the Gunners under pressure. An excellent performance which underlined exactly why Arteta opted for experience in the heart of the backline. Let’s hope he’s ok after Declan Rice took his place just after the hour mark

Gabriel: 7.5/10 - Made a goal-saving block to deny Pepi’s effort in the same move. Solid and reliable as ever

Jacob Kiwior: 7/10 - Talk of the Polish defender going on loan in January. Which would not be a bad thing as he struggles to impose his will with defensive duties. Goal disallowed late on after a VAR check

Jorginho: 7/10 - Arsenal captain for the night and did not let anyone down

Mohammed Elneny: 7/10 - Hit the post with a first half long-range strike as memories came flooding back of his Champions League wonder goal against Barcelona in the Nou Camp seven long years ago.

Kai Havertz: 6.5/10 - First half header went wide. Well wide. Replaced late on by ESR late on

Leandro Trossard: 6.5/10 – Not as effective as he would have liked. Should perhaps have done better with a late chance 

Eddie Nketiah: 7.5/10 - Grabbed his first Champions League goal after an excellent strike that underlined his touch and technique as well as showcasing his eye for finding the net. If only he could display such clinical talent far more regularly

Reiss Nelson: 7.5/10 - Fired into the side netting midway through the second half after beating his man after his first half assist inside for Nketiah to finish with aplomb

Substitutes: 

Declan Rice: 8/10 - Replaced Cedric on 62 minutes and slotted in at centre-back in place of Saliba to underline just how important the £105m man has already become for the Gunners

Martin Odegaard: 7.5/10 - On for Elneny on 62 minutes. Pinpoint free-kick for Kiwior deserved an assist but the ‘goal’ was disallowed

Ben White: 7/10 - Benny Blanco replaced Saliba

Emile Smith Rowe: N/A Made his first Arsenal appearance since October late on when he replaced Havertz with two minutes remaining

Gabriel Jesus: N/A Replaced Nelson with moments remaining