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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) /
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Ryan Bertrand of Southampton (Photo by Peter Cziborra – Pool/Getty Images)
Ryan Bertrand of Southampton (Photo by Peter Cziborra – Pool/Getty Images) /

Manager, Goalkeeper and Defenders

Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager – 9

No surprises in his starting eleven with a fully fit squad.  Changed his attacking-midfielders at the hour mark which appeared premeditated.  Going to need to use this as a learning experience in how to break a low block, as Ralph is likely disappointed to not get all three points.

Alex McCarthy, Goalkeeper – 9

Asked to make a couple first half saves which would ask most goalkeepers questions.  Beaten on the goal from 10 yards out, but nothing he could really do.  A spectator again for most of the match and nervously the last Arsenal chance off the bar.

Ryan Bertrand, Left-Back – 8

A first half yellow card may have changed the way he played.  Really grew into the match as Arsenal went down to 10 and he could attack without really recovering.  Probably should have been used a little more in build up as he was eager to run into the Arsenal penalty area.

Jannik Vestergaard, Centre-Back – 9

Turning into the quarterback of the squad with the team in possession, for a little American Football reference.  Delivered the direct pass to Che Adams leading to the first goal.  His passing was not as clean as it has been, especially with all the time on the ball, but he was excellent and the pundits are loving him now.

Jan Bednarek, Centre-Back – 8

Earned an early yellow and it was well deserved.  Not asked to defend much and had one good block of note.  Probably felt like a boring game to him, but Aubameyang did nearly nothing on his side and that is because of him and KWP.

Kyle Walker-Peters, Right-Back – 9

His defending was fantastic in the first 15 minutes, stopping Saka twice in 1v1 and cutting out a dangerous line-breaking pass.  Routinely dribbled out of pressure with such amazing reserve.  Was a real threat with Arsenal down a man, and maybe more so than Redmond on the right side.  Doesn’t give away possession and was just centimetres away from an assist today.