Arsenal player ratings vs Southampton: Thumping 3-0 win

Arsenal blew Southampton away on Saturday as goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel secured a 3-0 win in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta had big decisions to make with his team following a run of three defeats in four, with the biggest talking point of all being the omission of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the matchday squad.

Listed as a ‘disciplinary breach’ by the manager, that meant Alexandre Lacazette started up front as he had done at Goodison Park.

Thomas Partey was handed the chance to rectify his poor performances of late with another start, in what was an unchanged team from the 2-1 loss.

Arsenal player ratings vs Southampton as Mikel Arteta’s side run riot with 3-0 Premier League win courtesy of goals from Lacazette, Odegaard and Gabriel

A nervy opening 20 minutes for Arsenal was calmed down in fabulous style as Alexandre Lacazette confidently finished off a sweeping back-to-front move that started from Aaron Ramsdale.

Just six minutes later the lead was doubled as the man of the moment Martin Odegaard grabbed his third goal in as many games with a well directed header from Kieran Tierney’s own header into the box.

After VAR denied him just before, Gabriel got the goal he craved when he headed home from Gabriel Martinelli’s inswinging cross, which was what Arsenal deserved for a much improved second half. It was pulsating at times.

Coasting through to three points from thereon in, it can’t be understated just how utterly paramount this victory was. Arsenal could have scored seven or eight.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 9/10 – Arsenal’s best passer of the ball. Some quite sensational deliveries and coolness under pressure from Ramsdale were moments where you hand to stand up and applaud. Would have the assist of the season award nailed down if Martinelli had converted near the end of the first half.

He is box office. In the best way imaginable.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (CB) – 8/10 – Another excellent display from Tomiyasu who didn’t crumble under the Saints’ early high press and played a few very clever passes out of dangerous areas down the right.

Benjamin White (CB) – 7/10 – Looked shaky in the early exchanges like the rest of his teammates when they couldn’t get to terms with Southampton’s energetic start, but calmed down as the game progressed. Was left with precious few passing options when under the cosh.

Gabriel (CB) – 7/10 – Got himself in the book with just seconds on the clock, with a few dangerous loose passes following on from there. Again, like the rest, he settled after the opener and rose highest to head home with aplomb after the break.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 7/10 – Another assist for Odegaard! Very fortuitous in how he collected controlled the ball and got another chance to cross, he found his man at the third attempt which will do him the world of good. However, was often too negative in possession as he too looks like he’s suffering from a lack of confidence and sharpness.

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