[Player Ratings] Arsenal 6-1 Southampton: Gervinho & Arteta Shine

Arsenal battered Southampton 6-1 at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. Here are player ratings from our resident Arsenal fan ‘Lloyd the Gooner’.

Firstly everything said about this game has to be put in the following context: Southampton were very poor. Indeed they reminded me of many a Spurs side I’ve seen over the years!

That said this Arsenal side works harder than any since the 1998 double winners. Team spirit is often mentioned at the club but in this side it seems GENUINE.

SZCZESNY 6. He needs to sharpen up his concentration. Obviously at fault for the Saints’ goal he also kicked poorly.

Jenkinson 7. Nothing up against him really. Going forward he continues to improve. His distribution was better too. Any team needs players that have the club in their hearts (no not like Fab, Nas and Robin) and Carl loves Arsenal.

Mertesacker 8. Well I was wrong about this man. Much better than I thought and our best defender on Saturday.

Vermaelen 7. Aggressive and led by example. Late surging run and shot set up the sixth.

Gibbs 7. No real defending to do. Better going forward than in previous games. His willingness to end up in the opposition box paid dividends in terms of goals.

Arteta 9. Oh my word, if you can’t see this guy’s contribution you know nothing about the game. The real captain on the pitch today (sorry Tommy). What a pass in the first half for Gervinho’s goal. So intelligent in filling in the gaps when others go forward. So much to admire. Better than many thought he would be, particularly many Evertonians!

Coquelin 7. Did ok. Only 21 in May. He played one beautiful pass in the second half to split the defence. Not bad for a holding midfielder.

Cazorla 8. What a pleasure to watch him play. One piece of skill was worth my admission money on its own. He controlled a ball coming out of the stratosphere with a touch so deft that Messi has already emailed him asking for the instructions on how to do it!

The Ox 7. He is not a winger but is learning his trade whilst playing out there. No bad thing. It’s making him think about different aspects of the game, Ajax style. His best moments occurred when he came inside and was prepared to shoot. One fired in during the second half needed a fine save from Davis.

Gervinho 9. Terrified them with his dribbling, movement and finishing. He has that rare commodity in today’s game, he can beat people for fun.

Podolski 8. Strong, intelligent and what a free kick. Robin who?

SUBS:

Ramsey. Did well just as he did at Anfield. He also set up a goal so nothing more could be asked of him yesterday.

Walcott. There is a player in there somewhere and I hope we see it this season even if he ends up at ….(insert favoured destination for our Theo).

Giroud. I’m sticking with the big man. Won a coupled of headers and is honest too. Could have been brought on earlier to try and get that elusive first goal. Had Theo found him when he should have done near the end of the game, the worry would have been over. Naa naa naa , na na na naa, Giroud!!

TOUCH OF CLASS 10. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott’s prolonged acknowledgment of the Southampton fans. Never forget your roots!

Agree with my ratings? Get involved in the comments section.

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