Saints Marching
Fansided

Arsenal vs Southampton: Premier League – Saints Player Ratings

By Erik Franzo

Southampton's English midfielder Theo Walcott (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Southampton's English defender Kyle Walker-Peters (C) and Southampton's English midfielder Che Adams during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 16, 2020. (Photo by PETER CZIBORRA / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PETER CZIBORRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton's English midfielder Theo Walcott (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Southampton's English defender Kyle Walker-Peters (C) and Southampton's English midfielder Che Adams during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 16, 2020. (Photo by PETER CZIBORRA / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PETER CZIBORRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
Arsenal’s English striker Bukayo Saka (R) vies with Southampton’s English defender Kyle Walker-Peters (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English striker Bukayo Saka (R) vies with Southampton’s English defender Kyle Walker-Peters (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Southampton could not find their way around a 10 man Arsenal side and were forced to settle with a 1-1 draw at the Emirates.

Ralph Hasenhuttl had a fully fit squad to pick from and went with the present best eleven.  Speculation of rest during a three game week doesn’t quite seem to register with the Southampton manager.  The players appear to be in peak physical condition and a struggling Arsenal were likely too attractive to offer anyone a break.

Che Adams had an all-around brilliant first half, overshadowing his partner Danny Ings.  His strength in hold up is a real problem for opposing defenders and the amount he moves around the pitch has to be a nuisance.  He dropped into the midfield to receive the line-breaking pass from Vestergaard, beating two Arsenal defenders to possession and slid the perfect pass to Theo Walcott for the opening goal.

Southampton were in full control albeit one or two Arsenal breaks.  After half time the Saints looked to slow play and bait their opponents out, but it appeared to have backfired.  Bukayo Saka deserves credit for beating three defenders leading to the Aubameyang goal.  Theo Walcott, Kyle Walker-Peters and Oriol Romeu stood in Saka’s path before creating the opportunity for the equaliser.

Gabriel’s red card completely changed the complexity of the game.  Southampton made two changes to freshen the midfield with Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Redmond, but there were still few solutions through.  Credit to Arsenal for keeping the Saints out and holding on for a point, but Southampton fans are surely disappointed to not take this opportunity to move even farther up the table.

There were good performances all over the field again as Southampton push on to Manchester City.  However, there were one or two that left a bit to be desired. Here are the player ratings for the Saints in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal.