Arsenal’s woes continued as they were held to a 1-1 Europa League draw with Slavia Prague on Thursday.
It was an encounter low on goalmouth action and, for the home side, disappointingly low on offensive quality.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe came off the bench to give Mikel Arteta’s side an 86th-minute lead, but incredibly they were pegged back by Tomas Holes
Arsenal 1-1 Slavia Prague: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats
❌ Willian: 5.8
In recent weeks, Willian has been showing signs for optimism for Arsenal fans, with the Brazilian recording four assists in his previous five matches for the Gunners.
At the Emirates on Thursday, though, he was guilty of going back to his old ways. He lost possession an incredible 12 times over the course of the match while winning it only twice, while he failed to muster a shot on target.
Replaced by Gabriel Martinelli with 20 minutes remaining.
❌ Emile Smith Rowe: 5.5
Hailed as a star of the future, Smith Rowe has rather lost his way in recent weeks and for long periods of this match also looked as if it were passing him all too easily by.
Was the least active of Arsenal’s starting XI, which is alarming given that he was the player meant to be the architect of their attacks.
Little wonder, then, that the Gunners struggled quite so badly offensively.
⭐ Tomas Holes: 7.4
It was not a night to remember individually for anyone on the field, with the exception on the Slavia Prague centre-back, who scored a goal to remember with seconds of the game remaining.
This was a match that was dominated by defences, yet it was Slavia’s rearguard that looked the more vulnerable – with the notable exception of Holes. His header from a late Lukas Provod corner gave Slavia a vital away goal and totally transformed the complexion of the tie.
Arsenal 1-1 Slavia Prague: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats