Southampton 1-1 Arsenal: Three key players

By Marc Walker | Dec 11, 2017

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton and Mesut Ozil of Arsenal battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium on December 9, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 26: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

James Ward-Prowse

Ward-Prowse started on the right of midfield for this game with a specific job, and his role would be important in Saints nullifying Arsenal’s creative threats.

He worked well with makeshift right-back Jack Stephens to stop Sead Kolasinac and Alexis Sanchez from finding space. Both players were tireless in their pressing and tracking of runs down their wing, and therefore cut off a great deal of promising Arsenal attacks.

Ward-Prowse’s versatility and work-rate are key to him playing this role, and he is sure to be deployed in the same way again in some of the upcoming games.