This was truly a game of two halves, as Arsenal generated a first half performance that will be hard to top as their worst of the season so far. The Gunner’s somehow weren’t prepared and could have easily been two or three down by half-time. Despite an early second half resurgence, on this performance Arsenal were lucky to gain a point tonight.
In spite of achieving five straight Premier League victories, the performances have not always been convincing and against lively opposition in Southampton tonight, it is clear that Wenger’s men are not performing as they would like to.
Wojciech Szczesny - 6 - No doubt the Pole will be extremely disappointed in himself for Southampton’s first goal, letting in at his near post. Didn’t let it bother him though as he grew in confidence throughout the game, producing some excellent sweeper keeping and a flurry of saves in the last ten minutes, meaning we could at least leave St. Mary’s with a point.
Nacho Monreal - 5 - Arguably could have done better on Fonte for their first goal and looked shaky throughout the first half. Uncomfortable when clearing the ball, which led to him giving Southampton two big chances they luckily didn’t take. His performance improved in the second half when pushing up, but really should have scored when set up by Arteta. Will be interesting to see whether he continues to start in front of Gibbs.
Laurent Koscielny - 7 - When all else seemed to be going wayward in the first half, Koscielny was perhaps one Arsenal player who looked calm and assured on the ball. With some vital early interceptions, he could have grabbed a goal at the end of the first half. A relatively solid game.
Per Mertesacker - 6 - The German will be seriously disappointed to have conceded twice today, especially the sloppy manner of the first goal. Even the BFG was affected by Arsenals abysmal start, failing to intercept a Luke Shaw cross early on. As the game progressed so did big Per’s assuredness at the back, as a result his distribution and reading of the game improved dramatically.
Bacary Sagna - 5 - Never looked completely comfortable at right-back today with Shaw and Lallana causing the Frenchman problems on many occasions. Shaw in-particular was able to put a number of quality balls in the box. Both full backs at there best when going forward today and this was shown in Arsenals first goal, in which Sagna provided the assist.
Mathieu Flamini - 4 - Arsenal were outplayed in the centre of the park on many occasions tonight, as Flamini failed to impose the organisation that has come to define his return to Arsenal. The frustration was plain to see and resulted in a red card for Mathieu, leaving the Gunners undermanned with ten minutes remaining.
Mikel Arteta - 6 - Many feared before the game that the Arteta/Flamini combination would lack a directness needed, and for much of the game this proved true. As always the Spaniard did little wrong, and apart from playing Monreal through for a glorious chance late on, could not deliver the creativity in the final third of the likes of Wilshere or Rosicky.
Serge Gnabry - 5 - Failed to really make a mark in this game, somewhat out shone by the more energetic Shaw, whom was able to get up the wing with considerable ease and on a number of occasions. Although there were glimpses of the ability he has running with the ball, he failed to make these count, eventually making way for Chamberlain.
Mesut Ozil - 7 - Quiet early on until delivering a quality corner for Arsenals only first half chance, that seemed to get his game going. It was almost as if he believed it was he who had to take responsibility tonight, playing with a higher work-rate and tempo that I have seen from him all season. Sailed forward beautifully to set up Cazorla and again, beating three or four only to hit the bar. Impressed by his commitment.
Santi Cazorla - 6 - The first half highlighted one of his worst performances of the season yet, losing the ball on a number of occasions he struggled, as many others did, with the tempo of the game. As the Gunners looked to impose themselves more in the second half, Santi popped up with another tidy finish into the bottom corner. Didn’t really progress from this though and needs to improve his distribution from deep, often being caught out.
Olivier Giroud - 6 - Failed to impose himself on the game tonight, despite getting the equaliser with a neat back-heel. His touch, when he had one, went missing under heavy pressure from the Southampton players, meaning he wasn’t able to hold up the ball and contribute to the Arsenal attack as we know he can do.
SUBS
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - N/A - Returning to match fitness meant the Ox was introduced in the 67th minute for The Gunners. Apart from a neat link up on the right hand-side with Ozil, failed to impact the game as he would have liked to.
Kieran Gibbs - N/A - Gibbs showed much attacking intent when coming on, and found himself with lots of space on a couple of occasions which duly led to nothing.
Lukas Podolski - N/A - Having come on in the ninetieth minute, Podolski did not get the opportunity to change the game the way he can. Trying one through ball to the offside Chamberlain, I feel we missed his directness tonight.
A very disappointing first half for Arsenal and despite the high tempo football Southampton have displayed for much of the season, Wenger’s men looked surprised at the Saints early pressure.
Difficult to believe the Saints were going to keep up that tempo for ninety minutes, but equally difficult Arsenal could be that poor. As the second half started it was clear that Arsenal were looking to impose upon, instead of being imposed upon. It is equally clear that the Gunners are going have to improve significantly in the next couple of months if we are to keep our silverware hopes alive.
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