Arsenal dented their own hopes of going on top the table with a 4-0 loss to Southampton at the St. Mary’s Park. After a thrilling 2-1 win against Manchester City, it was widely predicted by the pundits that Arsenal would win this game and establish their superiority at the top, but fate seemed to have a different story to unfold.
Pre-game Update: Mathieu Flamini was believed to have a calf strain, but came on to take the field after Manager Arsene Wenger named an unchanged squad that faced Manchester City.
Petr Cech – 6/10: Really couldn’t have done anything for the first goal that was magnificently struck. Let down by the defending for the third. Still kept his head up and saved us from going four down, but karma said ‘Sorry mate’.
Hector Bellerin – 5.5/10: Couldn’t offer much going forward. Defended just fine and didn’t let Southampton exploit the right-hand side.
Per Mertesacker – 5/10: A poor clearance that allowed them to take the lead. Was exposed more than a few times due to his lack of pace when they put in balls behind the defence.
Laurent Koscielny –5/10: Wasn’t really his day on the field. Seemed to be a little off since the first whistle, be it in his passing or defending. Was unfairly clipped by Shane Long for the second goal, which the referee failed to notice. To add to that misery, a corner was judged against him, where all he did was brilliantly shield Long off the ball.
Nacho Monreal – 6/10: The Spaniard played responsibly but could not offer anything going forward.
Mathieu Flamini – 5.5/10: Although put in a Coquelin-rescue tackle once during the game, dropped too deep and failed to cut down the acres of space given to Martina for the first goal. Was rumoured to be playing with a strain, but he reiterates our need for a solid backup or competition for Coquelin.
Aaron Ramsey – 5/10: Must have been disappointed with the outcome on his Birthday. Was desperately trying to make thing happen with his runs from midfield. A wonderful pass to Monreal when it was 0-0, but the whole team played poorly and deserved the result.
Joel Campbell – 5.5/10: Always maintained his high work rate. His previous performances were overwhelming, but that was down to the whole team performing well. He played his part.
Mesut Ozil – 5.5/10: Was always cramped for space when he got the ball in the first half. Desperately tried to keep the team ticking and probe an opening after their second goal. Things just didn’t work for the German.
Theo Walcott – 6/10: Managed to get 3 good shots away. Seemed to be like the only player who could have scored, only for him to shoot straight at the keeper.
Olivier Giroud – 5/10: Managed to get a free header in the opening minute of the game. Didn’t have any chances after that. You wonder if the supply to him was bad or his game. But it was the supply really.
Substitutes:
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5/10: Came on for Joel Campbell at the hour mark. Was given a good half an hour to have a go at them with his direct running, seemed to have forgotten what that is.
Calum Chambers – 4/10: Brought on for Mathieu Flamini. He doesn’t seem to fit into the holding midfielder role as of yet. Again, shows why a holding midfielder to compete with Coquelin is needed.
Alex Iwobi – 6/10: When Alex Iwobi comes on for Theo Walcott, you know it’s just because Wenger wanted to give him a run on the field. Tried to influence the game a little from the left flank.
