Arsenal 0-0 Southampton: Player Ratings
Arsenal further dented their chances of capturing their first Premier League title in more than a decade, succumbing to a goalless draw at home to Southampton. The result sees the Gunners slip further down the table and now lie in fourth place, on below their fierce North London rivals Tottenham on goal difference.
So how did the players fare in this one? Here is Sportskeeda’s player ratings from last night’s game at The Emirates.
Arsenal
Petr Cech (7/10): While Fraser Forster might take all the glory and headlines away in this game, Arsenal’s main man in front of the goal didn’t put a single foot wrong and came through whenever called for.
Hector Bellerin (6.5/10): Not the best of games for the young full-back. While his crossing was again commendable, he gave the ball away too often and too carelessly. His endeavours at going forward at every opportunity left gaps for Mane and Long to exploit throughout the game.
Gabriel (6/10): The Brazilian was very lucky not to give away a penalty in the second half as Saido Mane’s refusal to go down worked in his favour. This was certainly not the game to stake his claim at being Per Mertesacker's replacement in the long run.
Laurent Koscielny (6/10): The cornerstone of the Arsenal defence was again on hand to neutralise any danger posed by the movement of Mane and Long. However, he will be more remembered for his inability to bury home a golden opportunity from six yards out.
Nacho Monreal (7.5/10): Hardly put a foot wrong in the entire game. Southampton had no joy whatsoever down their right flank which Monreal shepherded well.
Aaron Ramsey (6/10): His last ditch challenge on Saido Mane could have saved Arsenal’s blushes in the one. But, he failed to really feature in the Gunners’ game going forward. Pushed alongside Giroud in the second half but to no avail.
Mathieu Flamini (5.5/10): Had trouble with the pace and movement of, especially Mane in the first-half. Looked more composed in the second forty-five when he quietly settled down in the role of the disruptor.
Mesut Ozil (7.5/10): Unlucky not to have scored due to Fraser Forster’s brilliance between the sticks for the Saints. His influence grew as the game wore on but couldn’t force a way through the visitor’s sturdy defence.
Alexis Sanchez (7/10): At times looked like the only person with the ability to create something on his own. However, his propensity to take too much responsibility as the game wore on broke down Arsenal rhythm at times.
Joel Campbell (6/10): Didn’t see enough of the ball to his liking. Hard-working but lacked the quality in the final third.
Olivier Giroud (6/10): Got little change from Virgil van Djik and Jose Fonte in the aerial duels. Hence had to come deeper down from time to time to try and influence the game.
Subs:
Theo Walcott (6/10): Forced Fraser Forster into a double save within minutes of coming on. However was largely AWOL after that.
Francis Coquelin (NA): Afforded too little time to influence the game. Was in fact a surprising late substitution with the Gunners chasing the game.