Arsenal player ratings vs AFC Wimbledon: Partey impresses ahead of Tottenham clash; Martinelli bright spark

Arsenal reached the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over League One side AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday night.

Here’s how Mikel Arteta’s side rated at the Emirates...

Bernd Leno 6

Given reminders about losing his Premier League place to Aaron Ramsdale by the Wimbledon fans and offered precious little chance to prove he should win it back by the Wimbledon players.

Cedric Soares 7

Made one superb covering intervention to deny Wimbledon leveller midway through second half and then set up Nketiah’s clincher with a nice cross.

Rob Holding 6

Dealt well with occasional aerial threat of Palmer but otherwise a quiet evening for the centre-back.

Pablo Mari 6

Tidy in possesion for the most part but, like Holding, untested. Neither were ever likely to break up the fledgling White/Gabriel partnership on the strength of shutting out a League One side, but a clean sheet nonetheless.

Nuno Tavares 7

Hit the post, did a foul throw, made some iffy decisions and embarked on some thrilling driving runs. Clearly very raw but plenty to like - could be a lot of fun this season.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles 5

Some nice touches but did not bring any real incision and was sloppy in possesion. Another opportunity in his prefered position that rather passed him by.

Thomas Partey 8

Reportedly asked to play in search of more sharpness ahead of Spurs clash and looked a class apart as he ran the game without getting out of second gear. Replaced after an hour with Sunday in mind.

Albert Sambi Lokonga 6

Had a chance to stake a claim for a starting role against Spurs should Arteta opt for a more conservative approach than at Burnley. Quiet first half before growing more involved when moving deeper after Partey’s departure.

Gabriel Martinelli 7

Goals that punctuated his cameos in his first season have dried up but remains such an exciting player to watch. Won the penalty and was a constant menace, his cross seeing Tavares hit post.

Eddie Nketiah 7

Was never likely to be seen to best effect as a left-winger on first outing of the season but threatened when coming inside and got his goal with a superb flicked finish. Clearly needs regular football, though - a shame he did not get summer move.

Alexandre Lacazette 7

Captained the side and tucked home his penalty nicely. Did not offer much of a goal threat from open play as a No9, doing his best work when dropping into the hole to feed runs of Martinelli and Nketiah. Faded after half-time but kept ball alive well for Smith Rowe goal.

Substitutes

Emile Smith Rowe (Partey 59’) 7

Came on to add creativity behind a tiring attack and ended up scoring clincher.

Bukayo Saka (Martinelli 76) 7

Got loudest cheer of the night when brought on and immediately involved in two goals before almost scoring two more himself in terrific cameo.

Folarin Balogun (Nketiah)

Unused: Hein, Kolasinac, Chambers, Elneny.

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