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Southampton vs. Arsenal: FA Cup – Saints Player Ratings

By Erik Franzo

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton is congratulated by team-mate Theo Walcott after his shot is deflected by Gabriel of Arsenal to concede an own goal during Southampton v Arsenal, The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round, on January 23, 2021 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton is congratulated by team-mate Theo Walcott after his shot is deflected by Gabriel of Arsenal to concede an own goal during Southampton v Arsenal, The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round, on January 23, 2021 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images) /
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Fraser Forster of Southampton (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Fraser Forster of Southampton (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Southampton advanced to the FA Cup 5th Round with a 1-0 win over defending champions Arsenal.

Ralph Hasenhuttl is clearly serious about an FA Cup run.  He ordered out his strongest senior side, bringing Danny Ings back into the fold amongst a social media transfer crisis, while Ryan Bertrand started against his reported possible future club.  It may just be if you’re fit, you play in the present, but one has to wonder what the starting eleven will be in the Premier League match versus Arsenal on Tuesday?

Southampton created the lone goal off a patented Hasenhuttl press.  Stuart Armstrong pounced on Arsenal trying to build out of the back after a previously failed attempt to do so. The ball swung its way across the field, albeit after a poor Danny Ings touch, and arrived on Kyle Walker-Peters foot.  The right wing-back tried to claim the goal, but his low and hard cross was deflected in by Gabriel who again put his team behind in a fixture versus Saints.

Arsenal gained their footing in the second half, with manager Mikel Arteta going for early changes.  Fraser Forster wasn’t actually tested until after the hour mark, but Southampton predictably lost their initial fire and allowed pressure to sink them deep.  The counter was on, in more than one occasion, but the Saints could never seem to get enough bodies forward in sync.

Southampton should have put the game away and Arsenal could have certainly equalised, but it ended without fireworks and the Saints moved on in the FA Cup with 1-0 victory.  The rematch on Tuesday will undoubtedly feature some different faces, but how many will be the question?  Dan N’Lundulu would be welcome to rest one of the strikers and Caleb Watts sparked a lot of joy with his performance against Shrewsbury.  Before going to far ahead, here are the player ratings for the Saints and their 4th round victory!