Arsenal’s poor record against Southampton continued on Wednesday when Claude Puel’s men beat Arsenal 2-0 in the EFL Cup quarter-finals. Both the teams had made major changes from their weekend league games and the game wasn’t at the highest level, but the Saints managed to be the better side throughout the game as they went through their first League Cup semi-final in 30 years.
Here are how the Arsenal players performed.
Emiliano Martinez (5/10) – Unfortunate to concede both the goals as he could do very little about both of them. More so because he lost a regular spot in the team now as he was Arsenal’s designated goalie in the EFL Cup campaign. However, his callousness at times cannot go unnoticed.
Carl Jenkinson (1/10) – It is almost certain that he won’t start in any game in the right back position. He was abysmal, making poor passes, getting caught out of position, lacking pace and hugely responsible for the second goal. He should again be loaned (or sold may be) this January.
Gabriel (5.5/10) – He was solid throughout the game and is agile enough to start in the right back position against West Ham United this Saturday. With Wenger having little or no option in that position, he might deploy him once again.
Rob Holding (5.5/10) – He has been a promising performer since day one and he maintained his reputation in this game too. Although, Arsenal’s urgency to win games withered away as the game progressed, Holding looked sharp at the back.
Kieran Gibbs (6/10) – He has surprisingly been a better performer whenever he has skippered the side. It seems that added responsibilities bring out the best in him and we hope it remains that way.
Mohamed Elneny (5/10) – Wenger revealed later he was ill before the game. Although we can always question his stupid selections, Elneny played well at times in the first half before he was subbed.
Francis Coquelin (5.5/10)- Southampton let him take numerous long shots on target but a player who has never scored for Arsenal wasn’t expected to score anyway and he lived up to that expectation. Wasn’t all that good defensively either as Southampton cut open the Gunners time and again.
Granit Xhaka (6/10) – The only time Arsenal looked like Arsenal was when he came on. The crowd urged him to shoot every time he got the ball and he even took one from a set piece, which was collected calmly by Forster. His passing kept things running in the second half.
Jeff Rene-Adelaide (2/10) – Possibly had the worst performance in an Arsenal shirt so far. Neither his offensive nor his defensive contributions were on par with what he is capable of. Was right to be subbed off as he slowed the team’s counter-attacking pace.
Alex Iwobi (7/10) – The only player who came to the field with something to prove to his critics. The Nigerian was unstoppable at times and looked as comfortable as an eagle in the air in the number 10 position. He is definitely a big future prospect.
Aaron Ramsey (1/10) – He was finally played in his favoured position that he has begged for so often and he floundered. Nothing he did looked a quality move.
Lucas Perez (5/10) – Given that he just returned from injury, he performed pretty decent. He got no services at all from either flank except Iwobi, which were all half-chances. He could be a real threat with Sanchez and Ozil alongside him.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (4/10) – Well, he certainly has pace and did well in the right back position replacing Jenkinson. He did show some tricks and looked confident. Could he be a Bellerin-like prospect for Arsenal?
