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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Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) – 6/10 – Had an improved game, that’s for sure, but still not great. He’s very clearly lacking in self-belief, and it impacted the early exchanges where he wasn’t playing his part in the build-up by not providing the options needed to break the press.

Found his feet gradually and even if his touch was a bit off he fed a few clever one-touch passes into teammates and was much better after the break.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 6/10 – Sloppy is the word. In the first half alone he lost possession 12 times, but it was largely due his willingness to be brave. This is someone who clearly hasn’t played football for quite some time, although that never showed in his work rate. Despite being a bit clunky on the ball, Xhaka worked his socks off to get back and cover runners as well as support further forward.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 8/10 – Give him a run of matches in the No. 10 position and this is what you’ll get. No more sitting deeper as a hybrid No. 8.

Even if he isn’t the archetypal No. 10 as he loves to drift into pockets on the right, when he’s more advanced he can make the world of difference. Found his groove in this game and demonstrated some glorious playmaking craft. Worked his socks off.

Excellent throughout.

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Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 8/10 – Grabbed the assist and was a thorn in Kyle Walker-Peters’ side all afternoon. Made a number of glorious runs down the right, some that weren’t picked out, and came within a lick of paint from getting on the scoresheet.

Such a top talent.

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – 7/10 – Could (should) have had a hat-trick…in the first half. He took his goal very well and played in a more advanced role than he has done previously, but his unwillingness to shoot further demonstrates Arsenal’s urgency to sign a striker.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 8/10 – Was supremely bright throughout and got himself an assist with a neat Brazilian connection from the corner.

Brought real pace to the forward line and never gave Southampton’s backline a second to rest. Energetic, aggressive and threatening. Brings something to the forward line that no other does.

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Substitutes

Rob Holding – 7/10 – Came on, likely to give Gabriel some time off, and did everything well with, and it must be said, a cracking head of hair.

Sambi Lokonga – N/A – Wasn’t given much chance to impact a game that was going through the motions late on, but was good to see him on the pitch.

Nicolas Pepe – N/A – He’s alive!