Arsenal v Southampton: Player Ratings
The Arsenal defence collapsed spectacularly en route to a 2-0 defeat at Southampton to ring in the new year. A disjointed midfield and horrific posture in defence sees Arsenal occupy the 5th spot in the Premier League, pending Tottenham’s match with Chelsea. Here are your player ratings:
WOJCIECH SZCZESNY
GK, Arsenal FC6.0
As a young keeper, he’s shown potential for a great deal of time and has even taken great strides to limit his sometimes embarrassing decision making. Today, that poor decision making was at full throttle on both goals, though his rating is saved by the world-class stop he made with his left boot shortly after Southampton opened the scoring.
MATHIEU DEBUCHY
RB, Arsenal FC6.1
An awful match from the normally reliable Frenchman. The fault for Southampton’s second doesn’t lie with him. Clipped the cross well and could have made a finer clearance had Szczesny not panicked and swatted it to the nearest opponent. Abnormally poor in aerial duels and uncontested heading. Good job keeping the third goal out.
PER MERTESACKER
CB, Arsenal FC6.0
Was turned too easily. too often in the first half. Looked as if he was moving in slow-motion trying to keep the first goal out. The stability we thought we’d enjoy with the return of Koscielny hasn’t materialised.
LAURENT KOSCIELNY
CB, Arsenal FC5.5
Ridiculous back pass to Szczesny, manhandled by Mane, the list goes on. Koscielny doesn’t look like he’s 100%, and it seems like that’s had an effect on his decision making. Confidence in himself and teammates will be understandably low after this trainwreck.
KIERAN GIBBS
LB, Arsenal FC6.5
While it may be hyperbole to call him Arsenal’s second most dangerous attacking player, it doesn’t feel that off-base. He struggled controlling the left flank in the first half, but slowly got a handle on his responsibilities and provided some of the better offensive moments going forward.
CALUM CHAMBERS
MID, Arsenal FC6.6
Got a start in the defensive midfield today and wasn’t awful. Completed 89% of his passes with his only distribution errors coming farther up the pitch. In what looked most like a 4-2-3-1, Chambers was more the box-to-box midfielder to Coquelin’s defensive role in the double pivot.
FRANCIS COQUELIN
MID, Arsenal FC7.2
MAN OF THE MATCH – Another good showing for Coquelin, as Arsenal’s defensive failings were on the back 5, not in the defensive midfield. Made tackles all over the pitch (6/6 successful in his own half, 7/9 overall) and completed 91% of his passes while winning half his aerial duels.
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN
MID, Arsenal FC6.4
Tried desperately to drive at the Southampton defence but, like his fellow attackers, was often isolated. The special stuff didn’t show up, though he very nearly scored on a very tricky bouncing volley delivered from Santi Cazorla.
TOMAS ROSICKY
MID, Arsenal FC6.5
Didn’t reach the heights he had last time out and, much like Oxlade-Chamberlain, didn’t have the support or cohesion with teammates to generate real threats. With a pass completion rate of just over 70%, he’ll need better to keep a spot in the team.
SANTI CAZORLA
MID, Arsenal FC6.8
Arsenal’s little engine lacked its normal thrust today. Should have scored to send Arsenal up 1-0 after a lovely bit of play, but the “Scoring Drought Santi” made an appearance, drilling the ball right at the keeper’s hands. May be in need of a rest, but those will be in short supply in the coming days.
ALEXIS SANCHEZ
MID, Arsenal FC7.0
Arsenal’s most dangerous attacking player, he took five shots and put three on target. Great save from their keeper on one, he was Arsenal’s only verve going forward.
CHUBA AKPOM
ST, Arsenal FC6.2
Brought on a bit late to chase a goal. Chased a goal. Didn’t get one.
THEO WALCOTT
MID, Arsenal FC6.0
Got on, didn’t do much. Good to see him back, and it’s important he feel the bite of the tackles before we ask him to actually shoulder a load.
Bonus Rating: 0/10 — The referee who decided the last defender fouling an attacking player and thus denying a clear goalscoring opportunity deserved a yellow card instead of seeing red.
