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[Ratings] Arsenal 1-1 Southampton: Gabriel has nightmare but Saka shines again

By on December 16, 2020

Arsenal’s winless run continued as Gabriel got sent off during a frustrating 1-1 draw with Southampton at the Emirates on Wednesday night.

Southampton opened the scoring in the 18th minute and predictably it was Theo Walcott who got the goal against his former club. Gabriel was sucked out of defence to challenge for the ball, lost out and Walcott was sent clear to chip over Bernd Leno for 0-1.

Arsenal saw plenty of the ball but couldn’t create too many clear cut chances so we were trailing at the break. We eventually got the equaliser in the 52nd minute when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang broke his duck with a lovely finish following some superb work from Bukayo Saka.

However, just as Arsenal got themselves in a position to push on and win the game, Gabriel got himself sent off for a second booking in the 62nd minute after hauling down Walcott.

We defended well to keep Southampton at bay for the remaining half hour and Arsenal almost snatched all three points when Rob Holding headed against the bar in the final minute but it ended 1-1 at the Emirates.

Here are my ratings:

Leno  5/10 | I feel he should have done better with the Walcott goal. It seemed to go straight through him.

Holding  6/10 | Held the defence together well after Gabriel’s sending off. Almost won it for Arsenal after hitting the bar in stoppage time.

Gabriel  4/10 | A rare nightmare for the Brazilian. Sucked out of position and lost out to Adams which led to the Southampton opener. Then got himself sent off for hauling down Walcott. Hopefully this is a one-off.

Tierney  5/10 | Caught out of position for the Walcott goal. Wasn’t much of a threat down the left flank either.

Maitland-Niles  5/10 | Decent enough defensively but was poor going forward.

Ceballos  6/10 | Was the driving force in midfield at times and played some neat passes but had to sit back more than he’d have liked.

Elneny  5/10 | Tidy on the ball and did his role reasonably well but still too limited to be an Arsenal regular.

Saka  7/10 | Arsenal’s bright spark again. Superb run to create the goal and was always looking to make things happen. Great effort from the teenager again, and deserves more from his team mates.

Pepe  6/10 | Did alright in the first half when he saw plenty of the ball but was non-existent after the break. Didn’t really take his chance to nail down a regular place.

Nketiah  6/10 | Lovely touch to set-up Aubameyang for his goal. Worked his socks off up front.

Aubameyang  7/10 | Finally got his goal and it was a wonderful finish as he curled into the far bottom corner. Hopefully it gives him a much needed confidence boost.

Subs:

Luiz   6/10 | On after Gabriel was sent off and did OK.

Willock   5/10 | No real impact.

Soares   N/A | On too late.