Arsenal further dented their chances of capturing their first Premier League title in more than a decade, succumbing to a goalless draw at home to Southampton. The result sees the Gunners slip further down the table and now lie in fourth place, on below their fierce North London rivals Tottenham on goal difference.
So how did the players fare in this one? Here is Sportskeeda’s player ratings from last night’s game at The Emirates.
Arsenal
Petr Cech (7/10): While Fraser Forster might take all the glory and headlines away in this game, Arsenal’s main man in front of the goal didn’t put a single foot wrong and came through whenever called for.
Hector Bellerin (6.5/10): Not the best of games for the young full-back. While his crossing was again commendable, he gave the ball away too often and too carelessly. His endeavours at going forward at every opportunity left gaps for Mane and Long to exploit throughout the game.
Gabriel (6/10): The Brazilian was very lucky not to give away a penalty in the second half as Saido Mane’s refusal to go down worked in his favour. This was certainly not the game to stake his claim at being Per Mertesacker's replacement in the long run.
Laurent Koscielny (6/10): The cornerstone of the Arsenal defence was again on hand to neutralise any danger posed by the movement of Mane and Long. However, he will be more remembered for his inability to bury home a golden opportunity from six yards out.
Nacho Monreal (7.5/10): Hardly put a foot wrong in the entire game. Southampton had no joy whatsoever down their right flank which Monreal shepherded well.
Aaron Ramsey (6/10): His last ditch challenge on Saido Mane could have saved Arsenal’s blushes in the one. But, he failed to really feature in the Gunners’ game going forward. Pushed alongside Giroud in the second half but to no avail.
Mathieu Flamini (5.5/10): Had trouble with the pace and movement of, especially Mane in the first-half. Looked more composed in the second forty-five when he quietly settled down in the role of the disruptor.
Mesut Ozil (7.5/10): Unlucky not to have scored due to Fraser Forster’s brilliance between the sticks for the Saints. His influence grew as the game wore on but couldn’t force a way through the visitor’s sturdy defence.
Alexis Sanchez (7/10): At times looked like the only person with the ability to create something on his own. However, his propensity to take too much responsibility as the game wore on broke down Arsenal rhythm at times.
Joel Campbell (6/10): Didn’t see enough of the ball to his liking. Hard-working but lacked the quality in the final third.
Olivier Giroud (6/10): Got little change from Virgil van Djik and Jose Fonte in the aerial duels. Hence had to come deeper down from time to time to try and influence the game.
Subs:
Theo Walcott (6/10): Forced Fraser Forster into a double save within minutes of coming on. However was largely AWOL after that.
Francis Coquelin (NA): Afforded too little time to influence the game. Was in fact a surprising late substitution with the Gunners chasing the game.
Southampton
Fraser Forster (9/10): The England international was by far the best player on the pitch. Denied Ozil from close range twice in the first half and continued his impressive performance in the second with a string of impressive saves to keep the visitors in the game.
Cedric Soares (6.5/10): Had to largely concentrate on his defensive duties with Ozil and Sanchez bearing down on his side of the field.
Jose Fonte (7.5/10 ): The Saints skippers was the embodiment of the commitment that the visitors showed to eke away a point from The Emirates. Marshalled the backline and helped keep the chances for Arsenal to a minimum.
Virgil van Djik (7.5/10): Proved complementary to Fonte at the back fo the visitors. His night was glittered with several fine tackles at crucial junctures.
Ryan Bertrand (6/10): Had a tough day at the park with Arsenal probing in mostly from his side of the field. Was caught out of position and by the movement of the Arsenal men pushing forward. However, recovered well most of the times.
James Ward-Prowse (7/10): Another great shift from the young Englishman. Didn’t allow the backline to get too exposed and marked his great stint with a block on the line from an Alexis Sanchez effort.
Victor Wanyama (6.5/10): His v8 engine never stopped revving throughout the ninety minutes. Helped keep Ramsey and co. quiet in the middle of the field with his work rate.
Oriel Romeu (7/10): The Spaniard was ever-present in the midfield battles. He helped support Wanyama in preventing the hosts from flooding the centre of the pitch.
Dusan Tadic (7/10): Southampton’s main out ball at times on the left. However, didn't get too many opportunities to impress.
Saido Mane (7.5/10): Made himself a nuisance with his pace and movement. Got one fine chance in the first half but spurned it wide.
Shane Long (5.5/10): Worked his socks off but never really posed any danger.
Subs
Graziano Pelle (6/10): Replaced Tadic but wasn't able to get himself much involved as the hosts stepped up their attacking intent.
Juanmi (NA): Late introduction by Koeman to shore things up.
Targett (NA): Another late substitution. However, he did get something out of the game by getting Gabriel into the books using his pace.
