1-0 to the Arsenal. This particular scoreline was famous especially in the George Graham era where Arsenal used to take the lead and used to see out the game till the end. However the entire approach changed with the arrival of Mon. Wenger but ever since the last couple of years there is a sense of pragmatism in Arsene Wenger’s approach. The 1-0 win yesterday was the second win by that scoreline in the last two matches and some will say that Arsenal is finally finding some form atlast. Form or not , here is a look at how the Arsenal players did last night against the defiant Saints.
Damian Martinez: 4/5 The rookie goalkeeper looked surprisingly assured last night as his third start in an Arsenal shirt this season, in the absence of Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina, went off quite well. Although not severely tested he did well in coming out to collect the crosses to make sure that the defence was not put under any pressure.
Calum Chambers: 3.5/5 The young Englishman was splendid throughout the match as he was hardly troubled in defence while making some splendid forays in attack. He was the one who put in the initial cross that resulted in the goal by Alexis Sanchez.
Per Mertesacker: 3/5 The German is looking much more assured at the back now that Laurent Koscielny is back in defence. Was solid throughout the game.
Laurent Koscielny: 3/5 Second game after the injury and the Frenchman did quite well against an effective Saints attack where Graziano Pelle tried to bully him without much success. Overall second good game for Koscielny in the space of a week.
Nacho Monreal: 3/5 Maybe could have done a bit better in attack but could not find any fault overall with his defensive performance.
Mathieu Flamini: 3/5 Decent on the night. Nothing to write more about him.
Aaron Ramsey: 2.5/5 Although he provided the match winning assist there cannot be any doubt that Ramsey had another poor game. Looking terribly off the pace, he is one player who needs a goal to get some of the confidence back.
Santi Cazorla: 3/5 The Spaniard was a creative hub through out the match. Although not very effective in the final third, Cazorla’s game is starting to grow back to it’s best.
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain: 3.5/5 The ox was quite good and tried getting beyond the Saints defence with his speed a number of times. Unfortunate to have made way for the introduction of Olivier Giroud.
Alexis Sanchez: 3.5/5 Had a quiet game by his standards and yet came back from the match with a mtach winning goal. Also put through several delightful through balls which should have been capitalised on better by his Arsenal teammates.
Danny Welbeck: 3/5 Was full of running and looked quite dangerous especially in the second half after Olivier Giroud came on. However he really should have finished the chance that Oliveir Giroud created on a plate for him.
Subs:
Olivier Giroud: 4/5 The gamechanger. His introduction gave a bit of everything to the Arsenal attack really as his physical presence as well as his guile made life really difficult for the already tiring Southampton defenders.
Lukas Podolski: N/A
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