Arsenal clashed heads with Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium earlier today as they looked to earn maximum points on the road. The Gunners made a quick start to the game and got their noses ahead in the 11th minute when Granit Xhaka found the back of the net. The North London club went into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead.
The home side refused to give up without a fight and found the leveler in the 65th minute courtesy of Stuart Armstrong’s goal. The contest ended with Arsenal being held to a 1-1 draw on the south coast of England.
Let’s take a look at how each Arsenal player fared during the match against the Saints.
GK: Aaron Ramsdale – 6/10
The English keeper made a couple of decent saves at the back but failed to keep a clean sheet today.
RB: Ben White – 7/10
He performed his defensive duties well and made two good chances in the final third. White has got an assist to show for his efforts for setting up Xhaka’s goal.
CB: William Saliba – 6.5/10
Saliba cleared his lines well when required but failed to stop the Saints from scoring a goal in the second half.
CB: Gabriel – 7/10
The Brazilian talent made a lot of crucial clearances at the back and was strong in the air.
LB: Takehiro Tomiyasu – 7/10
The Japan international did his fair share of defending but offered very little in the opponent’s half.
CM: Martin Odegaard – 7/10
Odegaard created a few good chances for others around him but struggled to threaten the opposition’s goal.
CM: Thomas Partey – 6.5/10
He anchored the midfield with conviction and engineered one good chance in the final third.
CM: Granit Xhaka – 7.5/10
Xhaka was once again a real threat going forward and scored the only goal for Arsenal in the 11th minute.
RW: Bukayo Saka – 6.5/10
The English winger had a few bright moments in the game but failed to register a goal today.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – 6.5/10
The Brazilian striker caused a few headaches for the opposition but failed to get his name on the scoresheet.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – 6.5/10
Martinelli put his pace to good use in the final third. However, he didn’t do enough to score a goal as he was lackluster on the attacking end of the pitch.
Substitutes:
ST: Eddie Nketiah – 6/10
He offered very little after coming off the bench.
LB: Kieran Tierney – 6/10
Tierney had one good clearance at the back.
CM: Fabio Viera – N/A
He didn’t get enough time to influence the game.
