After an unbeaten run of 22 games in all competitions, Arsenal finally endured defeat at the hands of a rejuvenated Southampton side in their 17th match of the Premier League season. The Gunners came back twice in the game to get on level terms with the hosts but were finally undone by the winning goal scored by Charlie Austin in the 85th minute.
Unai Emery’s men showed a lot of spirit, but their makeshift backline was not able to resist the Southampton attackers as they committed a number of mistakes to allow the hosts to get away with all three points. Ralph Hasenhuttl was visibly relieved after the match as he was able to guide a struggling Southampton side back to winning ways in his very first home match of the Premier League.
Here is how the Arsenal players were rated from their disappointing defeat against Southampton.
Bernd Leno: 5
A night to forget for the German international. Could have done better with his positioning to deny Charlie Austin from scoring the late winner.
Stephan Lichtsteiner: 5
Not a good performance from the experienced defender as he gave away the ball quite easily and could not keep the opposition attackers at bay.
Laurent Koscielny: 6
Picked up a few knocks in his first Premier League match in seven months as he fought valiantly against the Southampton forwards. Looked a little fatigued towards the end.
Granit Xhaka: 6
Tried his level best to resist the Saints from getting the ball in the danger area but was unable to stop them.
Hector Bellerin: 5
Took the ball into the opposition half on a number of occasions but lost it very cheaply as well. Picked up a knock just before the first half whistle and was substituted by Alexandre Lacazette at the start of the second half.
Lucas Torreira: 5
Looked a bit subdued against the likes of Hojbjerg and Romeu as he struggled to keep possession in the midfield.
Matteo Guendouzi: 6
A bright spark in the middle of the pitch on occasions but could not deliver the ball into the danger area well enough.
Nacho Monreal: 7
Tried to take the game to the opposition with his darting runs and delivered a telling ball to set up Henrikh Mkhitaryan for the opening goal for his side.
Alex Iwobi: 5
Was ineffective on most occasions against the young Yan Valery.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 7
Scored twice to get his side back into the match but his efforts were not enough to get the Gunners over the line against the Saints.
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang: 5
Was kept under pressure by Jan Bednarek and Jannick Vestergaard throughout the match as he could not get his shots on target.
Substitutes
Alexandre Lacazette: 6
Came on after the restart and helped his side get back into the game with a beautiful assist to set up Mkhitaryan for his second of the match.
Mesut Ozil: 5
Lacked impact with the Southampton defenders keeping a close eye on him.
Ainsley Maitland- Niles: 4
Could not have much effect on the game in the limited time he had on the pitch.
