[Player Ratings] Southampton 2-2 Arsenal: Ozil Superb But Gunners Lack Spark

Arsenal played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Southampton on Tuesday night and were perhaps lucky to escape with a point after a below-par first half display.

Fonte headed the Saints ahead before goals from Giroud and Cazorla turned things around for the Gunners. However, Lallana swept home the equaliser to earn the hosts a deserved point.

Here are my ratings:

Szczesny 7/10

Made some decent saves but could perhaps have done better with the goals, as the header beat him at his near post and Lallana’s effort went through his legs. But overall, a solid display as he kept us in it with some fine stops.

Sagna 7/10

Was one of our better performers in the first half and set up Giroud for the eqauliser with a nice cross, but switched off for Southampton’s second goal.

Mertesacker 6.5/10

Got away with an early mistake when he missed a near post ball only for Gallagher to poke wide but was unlucky to concede the free-kick in the build up to the opener.

Koscielny 7/10

Made a few vital blocks and interceptions and almost went close to getting on the score-sheet when his close range effort was saved towards the end of the first half.

Monreal 6

Disappointing display from the Spaniard. He was caught in possession in the first half which almost led to a goal and was beaten too easily at the far post by Fonte for the opener. Also his poor clearance almost cost us another goal and he wasted a good chance to get a goal when he blazed wide.

Arteta 6.5/10

Was well off the pace in the first half but improved after the break.  Looked pretty rusty overall.

Cazorla 7/10

Strange game as he got his 5th goal in 5 games with a lovely finish and showed some neat touches, but failed to help out Monreal and drifted inside too much.

Flamini 4/10

Could quite easily have cost us the game. We were well positioned to push for the winner in the last 10 minutes but Flamini put paid to that by getting himself needlessly sent off for a reckless two-footed tackle. Should certainly have known better, and he wasn’t having a good game before that point.

Gnabry 6/10

Was perhaps one of our brighter performers in the first half but nothing really came off for him and he was eventually replaced.

Ozil 8/10

Awful in the first half, like many of his team mates, but he’d probably get a 9.5/10 for his second half display. He was sensational and was looking a constant threat. Showed his pace and dribbling ability when he burst through several players before his deflected chip hit the bar.

Giroud 7/10

His touch was off for much of the night but he got us back in the game with a clever back-heel.

Subs:

Oxlade-Chamberlain 6/10 – Didn’t really make any impact.

Gibbs & Podolski N/A – On too late.

What were your ratings from the game? Share your views below.