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Cazorla MotM v Saints Player Ratings


By Matty Sadler
September 10 2016

Arsenal started very poorly as we were sloppy in possession and slow moving the ball, but were unfortunate to go behind as a free kick which Cech tipped onto the crossbar went in off his back.

 We grew into the game after that and started to dominate possession, equalising in superb fashion through a Koscielny overhead kick. We continued to dominate in the second half but struggled to create clear cut chances as Ozil had an off day, Lucas struggled to get into the game and Walcott and Ox lacked quality. Southampton had opportunities of their own but Cech saved us twice. Right at the death, in very un-Arsenal like fashion, a long ball from Mustafi led to substitute Giroud being fouled in the box and us winning the game from the penalty spot. Cazorla's late penalty may make this look like a smash-and-grab, but it was no less than we deserved. Our lack of quality in the final third very nearly cost us today though.

A few points from me though... I am as critical of Wenger as anyone on here but I thought he got his substitutions bang on today. Not only did he make them earlier than normal, but they changed the game. Whilst I cannot knock Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain's effort, they just don't have Alexis's quality, and Iwobi was much better in possession when he came on. Ozil had a real off day, but that was Cazorla's best performance since the 2014-15 season. Mustafi had an excellent debut I thought, but Lucas really struggled to impose himself on the game, with Giroud offering a focal point which won us the game in the end.

 

RATINGS

Cech - 7. Unlucky to concede from the free kick in the first half, although his initial position can be questioned. Excellent second half, including coming quickly off his line to stop a one-on-one chance and an agile double save.

Bellerin - 7. Got forward to some effect and used his pace well, but you just want to see more quality in his delivery.
Mustafi - 7. A good debut I thought, bar two bad passes in the first half.
Koscielny - 7. What a goal from the birthday boy! Hope he is okay.
Monreal - 6. Started slowly but improved as the game went on.

Coquelin - 6. Combative in the first half when we were on the back foot. Didn't really notice him much after that.
Cazorla - 9. Quiet start but as he grew into the game, so did we. Superb after that, and showed great nerve to win the game in the last minute.

Walcott - 5. One mark higher than Ox because he worked hard and put in a defensive shift, but also lacked quality in possession.
Ozil - 5. Some glimpses of quality in the second half but they were too few and far between today as he was poor for large periods of the game.
Oxlade-Chamberlain - 4. Some promising runs but showed no quality in the final third. Some of his crosses were downright shocking.

Lucas - 4. Tried to get involved but was isolated up front on his own and struggled to get into the game.

Subs:

Giroud - 5. Missed a good headed chance but what he did do was offer a genuine focal point up front, which directly led to our match winning penalty.
Alexis - 6. Worked hard and added energy and quality to our struggling attack.
Iwobi - 5. Showed some quality in possession.

More discussion on ratings here

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