Arsenal played out a very entertaining tie against Southampton on Saturday where they won the game with a last minute penalty goal by Santi Cazorla. The win marked the second consecutive victory for Arsenal in the Premier League and the first one at home of this campaign. The Gunners weren’t convincing at all and it could have been very different if the visitors had made use of their chances in the second half. A win nonetheless was a much-needed outcome for the home team and let’s look at how the players fared in the game out of 10.
Petr Cech (7/10)
Very unlucky to concede from the free kick which went in after striking his back and was noted as an own goal as a result. Made some good saves and was alert whenever the team needed him to be.
Hector Bellerin (7/10)
Good performance from the right back. He showed composure and technique in his defending and was a good with his attacking runs as well. Solid performance by the Spaniard.
Shkodran Mustafi (6/10)
Tried to do a little too much on his debut. Gave the ball away more than once and was okay in the tackle. Needs to calm down and get settled. Has the ability to lead the line, will improve as his understanding with his partner improves.
Laurent Koscielny (7.5/10)
He was not the best in the air today but gave a brilliant commanding display at the back with his brilliant passing and an exceptional overhead kick to score the equaliser, which brought his team back into the game.
Nacho Monreal (7/10)
Solid and dependable as usual. Nacho didn’t go forward as much as he would have liked like Bellerin but still was able to create a chance and showed his excellent reading of the game with some vital interceptions in the second half.
Santi Cazorla (9/10)
The bright spark of the home team. Looked like the only player who was playing with some urgency. 94% passing, 4/4 take on completed, 3 interceptions and 4 blocks with 3 chances created and scoring the winning goal equals a dominating man of the match performance.
Francis Coquelin (6/10)
Battled well, as usual, breaking the opponent’s play down and passed the ball well too. Just needs to keep things a bit more simple and a bit more matured in his tackling.
Theo Walcott (5.5/10)
Couldn’t do things the way he would have wanted or his team would have liked. Another failed opportunity for him. The cross in the first half was the only high point. Subbed in the 75th minute.
Mesut Ozil (5/10)
Was poor in the game. Non-existent in the first half and mediocre in the second. Was lucky to be on the pitch for the whole game. Stats shows that he has created 4 chances but in reality, he was very ineffective in the final third. Surprisingly had some bad touches while in good positions and wasted them as a result.
Oxlade-Chamberlain (5.5/10)
Just like Theo Walcott. Frustrated with his performances and apart from one good burst early in the first half and a nice touch inside the penalty area didn’t offer anything productive in the attack. Another winger, another big opportunity wasted.
Lucas Perez (5/10)
Tried to be a little too inventive just like Mustafi on his debut and ended up giving the ball away at times. Was anonymous for most the time he spent on the pitch but had a good shot blocked superbly by Bertrand also. The movement is there, needs to settle in a bit. Was difficult for him all alone up front, could have worked well with Giroud by his side.
Substitutes
Olivier Giroud (6.5/10)
Came on in the 61st minute and helped change the game a bit. Engaged the Southampton defenders well as he got into some good positions inside the penalty area. Won the penalty that helped Arsenal secure all the three points and showed his spirit and determination with an excellent block in the 90th minute. Was as usual very handy for Arsenal in the defending phase of injury time as well with his presence.
Alexis Sanchez (5.5/10)
Provided the threat in the attack when he came on but was a bit poor with his passing. Created a good chance and worked the defenders, better than what Chamberlain did.
Alex Iwobi (5/10)
Saw very little of the ball and struggled to get into the match. Created a chance in the 79th minute, though.
