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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Arsenal player ratings vs Liverpool: Kai Havertz wasteful as Bukyao Saka uncharacteristically sloppy

Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup in the third round as they were beaten by Liverpool.

The Gunners will be frustrated that they failed to find a way to win as they had countless chances, especially in the first-half.

Martin Odegaard hit the bar, but Kai Havertz and Reiss Nelson were also guilty of wasting good opportunities.

In the end, the Gunners were punished for not taking their chances as Jakub Kiwior scored an own-goal and Luis Diaz struck late on too.

Simon Collings was at Emirates Stadium to see Arsenal in action...

Aaron Ramsdale 6

Should have had an assist in the opening minutes when he found Reiss Nelson with a stunning pass. Made a great save from Diaz, but could do nothing about the two goals.

Ben White 6

Doesn't look fully fit and had a good battle with Curtis Jones in the first-half. Didn't get forward as much as usual.

William Saliba 7

Dealt really well with Darwin Nunez, including one stunning tackle inside his own box in the second-half. Back to his best.

Gabriel 7

A strong performance and helped Arsenal limit Liverpool to only a few chances. Looked a threat from set-pieces.

Jakub Kiwior 5

After being hooked at half-time last week, he played as a conventional left-back. Unlucky to score an own-goal from Alexander-Arnold's free-kick.

Unlucky: Kiwior put through his own net (AFP via Getty Images)

Martin Odegaard 7

Should have scored in the first-half but his effort crashed against the crossbar. Overall he was decent, though, and one of Arsenal's most creative players.

Jorginho 7

Handed a first start in five games and did really well. Brought control to Arsenal's midfield and freed Declan Rice up.

Declan Rice 7

After a dip at Fulham last week, this was much more like it. Broke up play and drove well with the ball.

Bukayo Saka 5

Uncharacteristically sloppy in the final third. Got into some decent positions, but failed to make it count.

Saka was sloppy at times against Liverpool (AP)

Kai Havertz 6

Trusted to lead the line in the absence of Gabriel Jesus. Link-play was good, but was wasteful in front of goal.

Reiss Nelson 6

Had a great chance to open the scoring inside the first few minutes when he rounded Alisson. Had some bright moments, but taken off after an hour.

Substitutions

Gabriel Martinelli (Nelson 62') 6

Bright when he came on and got at Alexander-Arnold a few times.

Eddie Nketiah (Jorginho 81') N/A

Emile Smith Rowe (Havertz 88') N/A

Leandro Trossard (Kiwior 88') N/A

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