“We would have won the game but he was all over the field… it’s unfortunate Arteta doesn’t know how to win trophies using such fantastic player”: Southampton coach says his team has never face a player like £67m Arsenal player in his entire career, praises the superstar
Arsenal kept pace with Liverpool and Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League table with a 3-1 home win over Southampton on Saturday.
It took a jolt from Cameron Archer, who scored soon after the break, to shock the Gunners out of second gear at the Emirates, but they soon levelled through Kai Havertz.
Substitute Gabriel Martinelli then put Arsenal into the lead for the first time, before Bukayo Saka made sure of all three points with a late third.
Dom Smith was at the Emirates Stadium to rate the Arsenal players’ performances…
David Raya 6
Had little to do besides the goal which Archer fired in for Southampton. One good save in the second half.
Thomas Partey 7
Moved into right-back, but his performance didn’t drop. Solid again.
William Saliba 6
A couple of good blocks, but most of Southampton’s attacks instead came down the flanks.
Gabriel 6
A similar story to his centre-back partner. Won some key headers.
Riccardo Calafiori 8
A really good performance from the left-back, who skipped past challenges and looked to play positive passes.
Jorginho 7
The Italian was a calming presence in midfield, exactly what he was brought in to do.
Declan Rice 6
An assured display from the England man, but not his most influential game.
Kai Havertz 8
His bursts forward with the ball left Saints unable to stop him. Scored a superb equaliser.
Bukayo Saka 9
Picked up his seventh and eighth assists of the season, the second of which was a peach straight into Martinelli. Then made sure of three points with a fine goal late on.
