No Partey at Spurs Player Ratings

By Matty Sadler
December 6 2020

Awful league run continues. Sorry to say we're still miles off Spurs - technically, physically, attitude. Spurs were happy to let us have all of the ball because they know they have two superb forwards who will take their chances. Shame we can't say the same about ours. Ainsley Maitland-Niles was our Man of the Match on Thursday and he was a big part of our upturn in form towards the end of last season, particularly the big games. He's a better option than Xhaka in CM and he's a better option than Bellerin at RB. He needs to be playing.

Leno - 5. Great opening goal from Son but don't think his positioning was the best. Couldn't have done anything more about Kane's. Otherwise little to do.

Bellerin - 3. Got into some decent positions in both halves but did nothing with it. Crossing, passing, decision making, concentration - all poor. Useless trying to defend on the counter now his pace has gone. Game after game he keeps taking foul throws. Please, drop him.
Holding - 5. Just stood off and let Son take aim for the opener. That Bellerin-Holding right side keeps getting targeted. Otherwise okay, but not like Spurs got at him much is it? Please, drop him.
Gabriel - 7. I pray we don't "Arsenal" him. I feel so lucky having him in our side.
Tierney - 6. Defended well. Great attitude. Put some good balls in.

Partey - 5. Some moments he looked brilliant and others he looked well off it. Decision to start him just looks an awful one. Get him properly fit and build for our future around him.
Xhaka - 3. He's okay if he can play a first time pass the way he is facing, but that is about it. Slow, concedes stupid fouls, doesn't really contribute. Wenger and Emery have both lost their jobs with him a mainstay in the side and Arteta is going the same way. Please, drop him.

Willian - 5. Very quiet first half. Saw more of him in the second half.
Lacazette - 7. Showed up Aubameyang. Great work rate throughout but probably should have scored twice.
Saka - 6. Quality wasn't there in the first half but unlike others he made good runs and never hid. Second half was better. Another I feel lucky to have.

Aubameyang - 4. Missed a good headed chance, otherwise we didn't see a great deal of him. Part of me thinks "his attitude stinks, drop him" but I also think "this is the first time in his career he hasn't been scoring for fun, what the hell is wrong with us!?".

Subs:

Ceballos - 6. Thought he looked good when he came on but we probably needed him further up the pitch earlier, which isn't something I think about him often!
Nketiah - 5. Lively but a shame we didn't have any other attacking options in the squad...

MORE DISCUSSION HERE