Arsenal 3-3 Southampton: Player ratings as Gunners hand City title advantage

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<p>&mdash; Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/21/arsenal-southampton-player-ratings-city-title-advantage/3/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1649519514189479937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 21, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/21/arsenal-southampton-player-ratings-city-title-advantage/3/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>Martinelli responded moments later with a technical finish inside the box. Saka pressed down the right wing using the touchline to his advantage and fired a ball into the area, which was converted by the Brazilian star.</p> <p>The second half began with hope for Arsenal but was killed by a header from Caleta-Car, which put the Saints&#8217; advantage back to two.</p> <p>Odegaard scored a late goal to bring the deficit to 3-2. Saka followed it up a minute later to equalize heading into injury time.</p> <h2>Here are the player ratings from the 3-3 draw with Southampton.</h2> <h2><strong>Goalkeeper and Defenders</strong></h2> <p><strong>Aaron Ramsdale &#8211; (3.5/10)</strong></p> <p>Catastrophe hit Arsenal within the game&#8217;s first minute. Ramsdale gave Southampton the lead with a poor pass, putting the Gunners in a problematic situation early.&nbsp; He conceded another 14 minutes later, giving Walcott his second goal of the season. He also conceded another from a set piece.</p> <p><strong>Ben White &#8211; (5.5/10)</strong></p> <p>The centre-back turned right-back has formed quite a connection with winger Saka.&nbsp; However, Ben White failed to make a substantial impact tonight. He almost scored with a flick-on header that was cleared off the line by Alcaraz&mdash;a mild performance for White.</p> <p><strong>Rob Holding (5/10)</strong></p> <p>When Rob Holding first entered the side, Arsenal fans were happy to see Arsenal maintain their quality. However, since Saliba&#8217;s injury, Arsenal has not kept a clean sheet. He put on a subpar performance today.</p> <p><strong>Gabriel (6/10)</strong></p> <p>The defender was caught napping for the first goal, with Walcott making a darting in behind.&nbsp; The Brazilian has evolved into Arsenal&#8217;s most reliable defender in quality and health.</p> <p><strong>Oleksandr Zinchenko (5/10)</strong></p> <p>Zinchenko was often found out of his defensive position, which may have cost Arsenal the second goal; the Ukrainian was trying to make things happen offensively and uncharacteristically gave the ball away.</p> <p><em>Continued on the next slide&#8230;</em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/21/arsenal-southampton-player-ratings-city-title-advantage/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span>&nbsp;Midfielders </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_133836" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133836 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/21/arsenal-southampton-player-ratings-city-title-advantage/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1250342860.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1250342860.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1250342860-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Arsenal’s Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey passes the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 1, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Midfielders</h2> <p><strong>Thomas Partey – (5/10)</strong></p> <p>The Ghanaian International did not have his best outing against West Ham. Against the Saints, he continuously dropped into the backline to help the defence progress the ball.  However, he did not look like the best version of himself. He gave the ball away deep into Arsenal’s half, leading to the Saints’ third goal.</p> <p><strong>Fabio Vieira – (5/10)</strong></p> <p>With Granit Xhaka contracting an illness, Vieira stepped into the starting XI. The Portuguese has struggled for consistent game time due to a lack of physicality, which showed today. Trossard replaced him in the 56th minute.</p> <p><strong>Martin Odegaard – (7.5/10)</strong></p> <p>The captain showed class leadership. Odegaard immediately picked Ramsdale up after the opening goal, called team huddles, and pressed the Saints’ backline with all his might. Although late in the game, he scored a beautiful goal that gave Arsenal hope with three minutes left in regular time.</p> <p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/21/arsenal-southampton-player-ratings-city-title-advantage/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Forwards </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2><strong>Forwards</strong></h2> <div id="attachment_133845" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133845 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/21/arsenal-southampton-player-ratings-city-title-advantage/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1483940910.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1483940910.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1483940910-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 21: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal looks dejected following their draw in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on April 21, 2023, in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <p><strong>Bukayo Saka – (8/10)</strong></p> <p>Arsenal’s Starboy has been out of sorts lately. The English winger had a quiet performance at Anfield and a poor one against West Ham. Saka was a key reason Arsenal survived the first half with his direct runs, let alone providing the assist for Martinelli.</p> <p><strong>Gabriel Jesus – (5/10)</strong></p> <p>Arsenal’s No.9 struggled to get his engine going. Jesus had a couple of golden opportunities, including a close-ranged chance, which was hit over the Southampton bar.  Not the best showing for Arsenal’s star signing.</p> <p><strong>Gabriel Martinelli – (7.5/10)</strong></p> <p>The Brazilian looked lively after Arsenal conceded early. He was the centre of Arsenal’s revitalization and helped refocus the team after the horror start. He converted Arsenal’s first goal off a lovely cross by Saka.</p> <p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/21/arsenal-southampton-player-ratings-city-title-advantage/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Substitutes </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><p> </p> <div id="attachment_133433" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133433 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/21/arsenal-southampton-player-ratings-city-title-advantage/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1247723175.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1247723175.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1247723175-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">TOPSHOT – Arsenal’s English midfielder Reiss Nelson shoots and scores the third goal of the team during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 4, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Substitutes</h2> <p><strong>Leandro Trossard – (5/10)</strong></p> <p>The Belgian could not impact the game as Arteta would have liked. The Southampton set-up was deep, negating Trossard’s ability to change the game. He came close to scoring the winner with a powerful shot that rattled the opponent’s crossbar.</p> <p><strong>Eddie Nketiah – (5/10)</strong></p> <p>Nketiah struggled to find a footing in the game. The man who scored a late winner against Manchester United could not replicate the moment.</p> <p><strong>Reiss Nelson – (6/10)</strong></p> <p>Nelson produced one of the greatest moments in the Emirates Stadium’s history against Bournemouth. The winger was brought on for Martinelli late in the game and made a vast imprint on proceedings. He shot a ball low into Southampton’s goal, which Saka rebounded in.</p> <p>The squad put everything out there. A terrible start cost them three points. Now the Gunners must get a win at the Etihad if they want to control their destiny in the title race.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">