Arsenal 2-0 Southampton: Premier League – Three Key Players

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Jan Bednarek of Southampton plays the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Jan Bednarek of Southampton plays the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal battles for possession with Jack Stephens of Southampton during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal battles for possession with Jack Stephens of Southampton during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Jack Stephens

There is no need for the vicious vitriol which is being aimed at the Southampton centre back on social media but there is no denying the poor performance given by Stephens at the Emirates. Some have suggested that the ball playing defender could be moved into the midfield in the future but in all honesty, Ralph Hasenhuttl has to be questioning whether there is a future for Stephens at the club.

It is not a case of lack of effort from Stephens but not for the first time this month, he has given away goals through sloppy play or panicked decision making. Arsenal profited from Stephens’ poor back pass for their second goal and sadly he looked a liability all afternoon.

Hasenhuttl needs to act promptly by reinstating Maya Yoshida into the starting eleven. A spell out of the team might be the best course of action for Stephens so that the coaching staff can work on cutting down the errors which have cost his team so dearly.