Player ratings: Giroud and Sanchez make the difference for Arsenal
For a long time, it looked as if Arsenal would be denied a win by the brilliance of Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Yet once again, Alexis Sanchez stepped up to provide the crucial moment for the Gunners in their 1-0 victory Wednesday.
Although Sanchez may be hailed as the hero, the game hinged on the introduction of substitute Olivier Giroud. Perhaps invigorated by the newfound competition for places, the Frenchman created chaos in the Southampton penalty area.
ArsenalArsenal>>1
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SouthamptonSouthampton>>0
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Lineups and Stats
When Toby Alderweireld was forced off with a hamstring injury, the Saints were forced to play the closing minutes with 10 men and the pressure eventually told.
The win moves Arsenal to within just three points of second-place Southampton and ensures they keep up the pressure on the current top four.
Player Ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):
GK Emiliano Martinez, 7 -- Another very competent night between the sticks for Arsenal's young Argentine goalkeeper. If he was a little slow coming off his line to close down Graziano Pelle in the first half, he did everything else right. His kicking was strong and he claimed crosses confidently.
DF Calum Chambers, 6 -- He was obviously keen to make an impression against his former club and made a number of marauding runs down the right flank. However, his crossing occasionally let him down.
DF Laurent Koscielny, 7 -- Arsenal look so much more comfortable with the Frenchman back in their ranks. His recovery pace and positional awareness gives them added security in defence.
DF Per Mertesacker, 7 -- It's not just Arsenal who look better with Koscielny in the team -- it's Mertesacker too. The big German's flaws are assuaged by his French partner's presence, and Mertesacker seems much more confident as a result.
DF Nacho Monreal, 6 -- Monreal's spell as a centre-back seems to have imbued him with an extra element of physicality in his play, and his tenacious display kept Dusan Tadic and Shane Long at bay.
After 89 minutes of frustration, Arsenal got their winner through Alexis Sanchez.
MF Mathieu Flamini, 6 -- He was tigerish as ever at the base of the Arsenal midfield. However, the Gunners seem to miss the variety of distribution that Mikel Arteta brings the team. Flamini's passing is accurate but rarely ambitious.
MF Aaron Ramsey, 5 -- At present, injuries to Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta mean that Arsenal have no choice but to persist with Ramsey. It's a shame, because he looks like a player who could do with a rest. His poor form was summed up by a pass that found row Z rather than a teammate. Perhaps his confidence will be boosted by the fact that he provided the cross to create Arsenal's late winner.
MF Santi Cazorla, 6 -- In the first half, Cazorla's exquisite pass played Danny Welbeck in on goal. However, after that early piece of magic, Cazorla failed to impose himself on this game as he had against Dortmund and West Brom.
FW Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 6 -- His substitution was greeted by boos, and this was Oxlade-Chamberlain's poorest performance in weeks. As with the rest of Arsenal's attacking contingent, his individual trickery regularly failed to come off. Perhaps his rhythm was disrupted by his surprise absence from the team against West Brom.
FW Alexis Sanchez, 6 -- This was his worst display in months, but no matter: This guy is a pure winner, and it was no surprise that he turned home Arsenal's late goal. Because of his remarkable work rate, Alexis guarantees a certain level of performance. However, in this game he rarely rose above that base standard. All too often he tried to do too much on the ball, ending up conceding possession. That will swiftly be forgotten, though...
FW Danny Welbeck, 5 -- He endured a difficult evening that started with a miscued effort from an admittedly narrow angle and, unfortunately, didn't get much better for the England international. He probably thought he'd scored when his header deflected toward goal, only to be denied by a great stop from Forster. In the second half, the Saints keeper repeated the trick to deny a curled effort inside the box.
Substitutes:
FW Olivier Giroud, 8 -- He came on after 65 minutes and made an immediate impact with, first, a thumping volley that stung Forster's hands, and then a sublime flick that created a chance for Welbeck. Giroud was involved in the goal, bringing the ball down in the penalty area and creating the chaos that led to Alexis snatching the win.
FW Lukas Podolski, NR -- Introduced as a substitute for Welbeck, Podolski was quiet besides a late shot that fizzed past the post.
For a long time, it looked as if Arsenal would be denied a win by the brilliance of Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Yet once again, Alexis Sanchez stepped up to provide the crucial moment for the Gunners in their 1-0 victory Wednesday.
Although Sanchez may be hailed as the hero, the game hinged on the introduction of substitute Olivier Giroud. Perhaps invigorated by the newfound competition for places, the Frenchman created chaos in the Southampton penalty area.
ArsenalArsenal>>1
FT
SouthamptonSouthampton>>0
Game DetailsGameCast
Lineups and Stats
When Toby Alderweireld was forced off with a hamstring injury, the Saints were forced to play the closing minutes with 10 men and the pressure eventually told.
The win moves Arsenal to within just three points of second-place Southampton and ensures they keep up the pressure on the current top four.
Player Ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):
GK Emiliano Martinez, 7 -- Another very competent night between the sticks for Arsenal's young Argentine goalkeeper. If he was a little slow coming off his line to close down Graziano Pelle in the first half, he did everything else right. His kicking was strong and he claimed crosses confidently.
DF Calum Chambers, 6 -- He was obviously keen to make an impression against his former club and made a number of marauding runs down the right flank. However, his crossing occasionally let him down.
DF Laurent Koscielny, 7 -- Arsenal look so much more comfortable with the Frenchman back in their ranks. His recovery pace and positional awareness gives them added security in defence.
DF Per Mertesacker, 7 -- It's not just Arsenal who look better with Koscielny in the team -- it's Mertesacker too. The big German's flaws are assuaged by his French partner's presence, and Mertesacker seems much more confident as a result.
DF Nacho Monreal, 6 -- Monreal's spell as a centre-back seems to have imbued him with an extra element of physicality in his play, and his tenacious display kept Dusan Tadic and Shane Long at bay.
After 89 minutes of frustration, Arsenal got their winner through Alexis Sanchez.
MF Mathieu Flamini, 6 -- He was tigerish as ever at the base of the Arsenal midfield. However, the Gunners seem to miss the variety of distribution that Mikel Arteta brings the team. Flamini's passing is accurate but rarely ambitious.
MF Aaron Ramsey, 5 -- At present, injuries to Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta mean that Arsenal have no choice but to persist with Ramsey. It's a shame, because he looks like a player who could do with a rest. His poor form was summed up by a pass that found row Z rather than a teammate. Perhaps his confidence will be boosted by the fact that he provided the cross to create Arsenal's late winner.
MF Santi Cazorla, 6 -- In the first half, Cazorla's exquisite pass played Danny Welbeck in on goal. However, after that early piece of magic, Cazorla failed to impose himself on this game as he had against Dortmund and West Brom.
FW Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 6 -- His substitution was greeted by boos, and this was Oxlade-Chamberlain's poorest performance in weeks. As with the rest of Arsenal's attacking contingent, his individual trickery regularly failed to come off. Perhaps his rhythm was disrupted by his surprise absence from the team against West Brom.
FW Alexis Sanchez, 6 -- This was his worst display in months, but no matter: This guy is a pure winner, and it was no surprise that he turned home Arsenal's late goal. Because of his remarkable work rate, Alexis guarantees a certain level of performance. However, in this game he rarely rose above that base standard. All too often he tried to do too much on the ball, ending up conceding possession. That will swiftly be forgotten, though...
FW Danny Welbeck, 5 -- He endured a difficult evening that started with a miscued effort from an admittedly narrow angle and, unfortunately, didn't get much better for the England international. He probably thought he'd scored when his header deflected toward goal, only to be denied by a great stop from Forster. In the second half, the Saints keeper repeated the trick to deny a curled effort inside the box.
Substitutes:
FW Olivier Giroud, 8 -- He came on after 65 minutes and made an immediate impact with, first, a thumping volley that stung Forster's hands, and then a sublime flick that created a chance for Welbeck. Giroud was involved in the goal, bringing the ball down in the penalty area and creating the chaos that led to Alexis snatching the win.
FW Lukas Podolski, NR -- Introduced as a substitute for Welbeck, Podolski was quiet besides a late shot that fizzed past the post.
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