Opinion

Arsenal U23 5-2 Bayern Munich U23: PLAYER RATINGS

Vlad Dragomir in action against Bayern Munich at Meadow Park on Tuesday evening. Credit Arsenal FC Archant

Arsenal U23s beat Bayern Munich U23s 5-2 in the Premier League International Cup at Meadow Walk on Tuesday evening. Read on for Layth Yousif’s player ratings on the talented junior gunners.

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Arsenal player ratings:

1, Hugo Keto: 7 – The Helsinki-born Finnish U19 international is an agile sweeper-keeper. Confident in the air, patrolled his box well and provided effective distribution. Could perhaps be more vocal but this keeper is one to watch under the expert tutelage of U18-U23 goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman.

2, Jordi Osei-Tutu: 7.5 – Solid first half and full of athleticism and energy. An excellent prospect who always give his all. Supplemented attacks and was unlucky German keeper Leo Weinkaut blocked his low shot after a buccaneering run. Deserved his late goal to put his side 3-2 up

3, Julio Pleguezuelo: 6.5 – Another steady game for the consistent left-back but was substituted moments after the interval

4, Ben Sheaf: 7 – Always looks unhurried in his play. Good vision, touch and technique suggests a bright future for this lad who has already made his first team debut in the cauldron of Red Star Belgrade’s Marakana Stadium. The next stage of his development will be crucial, does he go on loan next season or attempt to break into the first team squad proper. For such a talent it has to be the right decision. Daniel Crowley anyone?

5, Rob Holding: 6.5 – The more experience the 2017 FA Cup winner form Bolton can get as a centre-half the better. You could understand Arsene Wenger’s thinking in playing him next to his Greek signing.

6, Konstantinos Mavropanos: 6.5 – Lean and technically proficient Wenger’s £2m capture is a ball-playing central defender. Pulled out of position as the Germans increased their attacking threat in the second period as the backline struggled to maintain the serenity of the first half.

7, Emile Smith-Rowe: 7 – Quick feet from this England U17 World Cup winner who came on as a late substitute against Manchester United U23s last Monday but was not as influential as he would have liked to have been. Will be better for the experience and deserved his late goal as he grew into the game. Remember his name if you don’t know it already.

8, Josh Da Silva: 6 – Not as dominant as he could have been in the heat of the battle as the Germans made inroads. Needs work on his positional sense and defensive discipline but another who will benefit from the run-out.

9, Vlad Dragomir: 7 – A superb strike from the talented young Romanian to put his side ahead, swiftly followed by an excellent drive down the right flank before squaring for colleague Reine-Adelaide to slot home from close range.

10, Joe Willock: 6.5 – Showed good pace but could perhaps have been more proactive in bolstering his colleagues attacks

11, Jeff Reine-Adelaide: 7 – Grabbed two goals after notching against United last Monday but needs to play first team football in order for his development not to stall – if not at Arsenal then at least at a Championship side. He needs more than U23 matches as his excellent brace showed,

Substitutes:

14, Tolaji Bola 6.5: Replaced Pleguezuelo early in the second half