Arsenal’s trip to Southampton ended 1-1 with the Gunners trailing for the majority of the game. Olivier Giroud’s late equaliser saw them earn a crucial point in what could have a disappointing seventh loss of the season in the Premier League for the Gunners. Mauricio Pellegrino’s team put on a resilient display at home and did well to earn themselves an early lead into the match.
Arsenal Players Rated And Slated
Petr Cech: 6/10
He was sharp in front of goal today and made quite a few saves to hold Southampton to just one goal.
Hector Bellerin: 5/10
Bellerin did well to stretch the field to push for an equalizer. Faced with taking on both Nathan Redmond and Ryan Bertrand on his own down the right, he could not affect the match much offensively.
Laurent Koscielny: 4/10
Even with over 300 appearances in an Arsenal shirt, Koscielny is still figuring out his role in the 3 back formation. His lack of distribution skills also got highlighted today as he often misplaced possession in the opposition half giving way to counter attacks.
Per Mertesacker: 3/10
The German’s incompetent attempt at clearing the ball gave possession away to Charlie Austin and allowed Southampton to score the first goal in the 3rd minute of the match. He mostly had to rely on Koscielny and Bellerin to swat away Southampton counter attacks.
Nacho Monreal: 5/10
Monreal worked tirelessly to read the runs of Charlie Austin and Dusan Tadic and often succeded. But could not stop the opening goal even after a hasty chase down attempt.
Sead Kolasinac: 5/10
He held down the left well with the opposition failing to operate much from that side.
Granit Xhaka: 6/10
Xhaka had a decent game today making valuable interceptions on the defensive end.
Aaron Ramsey: 5/10
Ramsey was a threat in the Southampton box with one of his shots forced a spectacular save out of Frasier Forster.
Mesut Ozil: 8/10
Ozil was the best player for the Gunners as he worked tirelessly on both ends of the pitch to win back possession and hold onto the ball when required. He opened up the Southampton defence on numerous occasions while trying to link up with Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazetter.
Alexis Sanchez: 6/10
He was his usual self on the pitch today and delivered a curling ball towards Giroud to get the late equaliser. However, he was completely shut down from the left-hand side by the opposition defenders.
Alexandre Lazazette: 5/10
He was sharp in front of goal with crisp touches to deceive the Southampton defenders, but could not capitalise on his chances and get his side the equaliser.
Substitutes:-
Olivier Giroud: 6/10
He was crucial for his side netting the equaliser in the 88th minute.
Danny Welbeck: 3/10
Could not affect the attack much with a few misplaced crosses from the wings.
Jack Wilshere: 4/10
He tried to break down the Southampton defence through the middle and allowed Arsenal to keep hammering the opposition with constant attacks.
