EPL Player Ratings [Arsenal]: Southampton 1-1 Arsenal

Southampton put in a resolute defensive performance on Sunday afternoon as they held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s. Mauricio Pellegrino’s side had plenty of chances to put the game to bed in the first period, but their inability to take their opportunities came on to haunt them as Olivier Giroud netted a late leveller.

Player Ratings:

Petr Cech: The former Czech international had a busy game in front of goal owing to the high pressing from the Saints. Conceded the opener from Charlie Austin, but he was therein solid between the sticks – 7/10

Hector Bellerin: The right-back appears to have lost his earlier confidence, but he was pretty much going through the motions. Played well on the counter-attack, but was defensively poor as he allowed space for Nathan Redmond to run at him – 5/10

Laurent Koscielny: The Frenchman has been struggling with a chronic Achilles problem, and this may perhaps be playing into his mediocre form of late. Koscielny was shaky for most of the first period, and Redmond nearly capitalized on his mistake in the second period – 6/10

Per Mertesacker: The big German was to blame for the first goal as his slip let Austin through on goal. Steadied the ship thereafter, but was substitute just on the hour mark with Danny Welbeck. Mertesacker’s lack of pace was nearly exploited twice by Austin – 5/10

Nacho Monreal: Monreal was not responsible for the defensive mistakes that led to the goal, but he nevertheless had a quiet game without much of an influence going forward. Probably the better of the three centre-backs on current form – 6.5/10

Sead Kolasinac: Made a wonderful solo run early on which he could not convert into a goal. Otherwise, he could not find the killer cross for his attackers as Southampton kept a firm base for most of the game – 6/10

Granit Xhaka: The Swiss has been pretty average with his performances of late, and he was at fault at making a number of mistimed passes over the course of the clash. Was replaced by Wilshere in the second period – 5.5/10

Aaron Ramsey: Made his tireless runs into the opposition box, but could not find his goalscoring boots. The Welshman suffered what looked like a hamstring injury at the end, and Wenger will hope that it does not sideline him for the long-term – 6.5/10

Alexis Sanchez: A major disappointment in the attack front as he struggle to make any impact in the Saints box. Made up with a well-timed assist for Olivier Giroud at the end but his performance was still not up to scratch – 5.5/10

Mesut Ozil: Likewise Ozil struggled to make an impact in the opposition box, but he nevertheless put in a better showing as he link up play during the course of the game. His tracking back has improved since the last month – 6.5/10

Alexandre Lacazette: Should have scored on the counter-attack, but he took a touch too many. The Frenchman could not continue his streak of back-to-back goals, and he looked a little bit stressed in the second-half – 6/10

Substitutes:

Danny Welbeck: N/A

Olivier Giroud: The Super Sub came once again to the party as he netted his fourth goal of the Premier League campaign. The Frenchman jumped highest to win a header ahead of Virgil van Dijk for the equaliser – 7/10

Jack Wilshere: Provided impetus going forward in the dying seconds. Probably will start the game versus Huddersfield Town with Ramsey likely to be ruled out for the festive period with a muscular problem – 6/10

Image – Getty