Arsenal 3-1 Southampton: Player Ratings as Bukayo Saka steals the show with scintillating performance at the Emirates
Arsenal hosted Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday, October 5 and secured a 3-1 win from behind in an entertaining match.
The first half saw the Gunners dominate possession and take the game to the Saints, who had their backs against the wall. Three of the visitors’ players were booked as Arsenal kept attacking to try and find ways past their defence. With 14 first-half shots, many would have expected the hosts to do better but they managed just one shot on target as the first period ended goalless.
Southampton made a sharp start to the second period and grabbed a 1-0 lead 10 minutes after the restart. Substitute Cameron Archer got on the end of Mateus Fernandes’ pass and applied a smart finish. However, Arsenal clawed back just three minutes later as Bukayo Saka assisted Kai Havertz for the leveller. Ten minutes after that, Gunners substitute Gabriel Martinelli put his team ahead after a lovely run to get on the end of Saka’s assist.
Saka then put the icing on the cake as he scored in the 88th minute to seal a comfortable 3-1 win for Arsenal. They saw out nine minutes of added time to secure the win. On that note, let’s take a look at the player ratings.
Arsenal Player Ratings vs Southampton:
Goalkeeper
David Raya – 6.5/10
Raya made just one save in a game dominated by Arsenal’s outfielders.
Defenders
Thomas Partey – 7.5/10
Despite playing out of position, Partey looked composed and solid at the back. He won six of his seven duels, making two interceptions and two clearances as well. He also attempted a shot on target.
William Saliba – 7/10
Saliba made a strong start to the game and was composed at the back. He won three duels and made one clearance.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 6.5/10
Gabriel started the game well and even attempted a wayward shot towards the end of the first half. He also won one duel.
Riccardo Calafiori – 7.5/10
Calafiori made a lively start to the contest and drove forward with the ball. He won eight duels, making three interceptions and one block.
Midfielders
Bukayo Saka – 10/10
Saka was sharp on the ball as expected and provided an assist for Arsenal’s equalizer as well as the goal to make it 2-1. He scored the safety goal to make it 3-1 in a Player of the Match performance.
Jorginho – 6.5/10
Jorginho was the skipper for Arsenal and made a good start and distributed the ball well but was subbed off in the second half.
Declan Rice – 7.5/10
Rice was composed with the ball and started the game well. He won two duels and made three clearances.
Raheem Sterling – 6.5/10
Sterling played quite selfishly on occasion and it cost Arsenal some chances. He was subbed off in the second half after a subpar showing.
Forwards
Kai Havertz – 8/10
Havertz played more off the right side than centrally. However, he drifted inwards and grabbed his team’s leveller in the second period. He won seven duels and completed two dribbles as well.
Gabriel Jesus – 7/10
Jesus lacked vision and held onto the ball much longer than required at times. He did play some important passes but slowed the attack down and was subbed off in the second half.
Substitutes
Gabriel Martinelli – 7.5/10
He scored just eight minutes after coming on to put Arsenal 2-1 up. He also won one duel.
Leandro Trossard – 7/10
Trossard replaced Jesus in the second half and put in a decent performance.
Mikel Merino – 7/10
Merino came on in the second period and help the Gunners solidify at the back and turn the game around.
Takehiro Tomiyasu – 6.5/10
He replaced Partey and put in a decent performance.
Jakub Kiwior – N/A
He played very few minutes.
Manager
Mikel Arteta – 9/10
Arteta’s timely changes helped Arsenal turn the game around after going behind.
Southampton Player Ratings vs Arsenal:
Goalkeeper
Aaron Ramsdale – 6.5/10
Ramsdale looked sharp as he was eager to impress against his former club. He made three saves in the game.
Defenders
Yukinari Sugawara – 5.5/10
He started the game well but was subbed off due to an injury.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 6/10
Harwood-Bellis started the game but could not do much to stop the hosts.
Jan Bednarek – 6.5/10
Bednarek made a solid start in defence but was booked for a foul on Jesus.
Kyle Walker-Peters – 6.5/10
He was booked for a rash tackle on Saka and was lucky not to receive a red card.
Ryan Manning –
Manning won six duels in a decent performance.
Midfielders
Flynn Downes – 5.5/10
Downes struggled to retain the ball and do anything meaningful with it.
Joe Aribo – 6.5/10
He won six duels but could not do much apart from that.
Mateus Fernandes – 7/10
Fernandes provided the assist for his team’s only goal.
Forwards
Tyler Dibling – 6/10
Dibling made a decent start but picked up a yellow after a blatant pull on Calafiori.
Ross Stewart – 6/10
He made a decent start but was subbed off early after picking up a knock.
Substitutes
Cameron Archer – 7/10
He came on in the first half and put Southampton ahead in the second half with a composed finish.
Paul Onuachu – 6.5/10
Onuachu came on in the second half but was unable to impact the proceedings.
Adam Armstrong – 6.5/10
Armstrong came on in the second period but was unable to do much for Southampton.
Charlie Taylor – N/A
He played very few minutes to warrant a rating.
Manager
Russell Martin – 7/10
Martin set his team up pretty well and was unlucky to not get a result.
FAQs
Q. What was the result of Arsenal vs Southampton?
A. Arsenal defeated Southampton 3-1.
Q. When was Arsenal vs Southampton?
A. The game kicked-off at 2:00 PM GMT on Saturday, October 5.
Q. Who was the man of the match in Arsenal vs Southampton?
A. Bukayo Saka was the man of the match.
Q. Who was the worst performer in Arsenal vs Southampton?
A. Flynn Downes was the worst performer.