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Arsenal logo
Premier League
Dec 3, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Southampton logo

1-0

Sanchez (89')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Player Ratings: Arsenal 1-0 Southampton

Sports Mole looks back at who impressed during Arsenal's slender 1-0 victory over Southampton at the Emirates Stadium this evening.

A late Alexis Sanchez goal ensured that Arsenal took all three points from their Premier League meeting with Southampton this evening in a 1-0 win.

For so long the game appeared to be heading for a goalless draw, with Saints stopper Fraser Forster producing a string of high-quality saves to earn what looked to be another big point for his side.

Chile international Alexis was on hand to tap in with just a minute remaining at the Emirates Stadium, however, to salvage a third victory in seven days for the Gunners.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who caught the eye during the 90 minutes of action in North London.


Arsenals Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring the winning goal of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 3, 2014© Getty Images

ARSENAL

Goal

Emiliano Martinez: Much like last week against Borussia Dortmund, this was an incredibly assured performance from Arsenal's third-choice stopper. While he did not have any big saves to make, he took full command of his box to seemingly collect every single cross. (8/10)

Defence

Calum Chambers: Loves getting forward, and produces a large number of high-quality crosses in every game he plays. Did not quite work out for him this evening, but he has now become a mainstay in this side due to injuries. (8/10)

Laurent Koscielny: Arsenal look far more assured with him in the heart of defence, and that is now two clean sheets on the bounce in the league since he returned. Block on Pelle's first-half shot in particular stands out, despite limping around prior to that with a knock. (7/10)

Per Mertesacker: A solid performance from the former Germany international, who will be delighted with the clean sheet. Southampton did not offer a great deal in attack, although when they did push forward Arsenal remained relatively solid. (7/10)

Nacho Monreal: Continuing at full-back this evening due to a growing casualty list, Monreal often failed to beat his man when it came to crosses and was not on the same wavelength as Welbeck on the left on more than a few occasions. (6/10)

Midfield

Mathieu Flamini: His usual assured self in the middle of the park, the Frenchman offers the Gunners some real bite in the absence of Jack Wilshere. (7/10)

Aaron Ramsey: Another largely unimpressive showing from the Welshman, but you cannot knock him for his effort. He constantly plugged away this evening, and was duly rewarded with an assists for Sanchez's winner at the death. (7/10)

Santi Cazorla: A nice through-ball in the first half sent Welbeck on his way, while he also made Bertrand look rather silly on the right-hand side at one stage. A couple of wayward shots let him down, however. (7/10)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: He did not make a lasting impression against his form club tonight, yet he always looks like a player who can make something happen. That was perfectly summed up by his effort in the first half which Forster did well to get down and handle. (6/10)

Attack

Alexis Sanchez: Moved into a more central-attacking position for the second half, the Chile international continues to be the North London outfit's most important player by some distance. Even without his goal - his 14th in 22 appearances since joining in the summer - he was often the creator of everything good for the Gunners. (8/10)

Danny Welbeck: His best chance came early on when he failed to hit the target having been played in by Cazorla. Moved to the left at the interval and looked lively at times when cutting inside, but he was ultimately signed to score goals. (6/10)

Substitutes

Lukas Podolski: You have got to feel sorry for the German, who is surely on his way out of the club in January. Afforded just eight minutes to make an impact this evening, getting in a solitary shot on goal. (6/10)

Olivier Giroud: Arsene Wenger waited perhaps a little longer than many of the supporters had anticipated before introducing Giroud with around 20 minutes to play. He instantly lifted his side, and if not for the intervention of Forster he would have had a brace to his name. Now needs to regain full fitness. (8/10)


Danny Welbeck of Arsenal attempts to score in front of Fraser Forster of Southampton during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on December 3, 2014© Getty Images

SOUTHAMPTON

Goal

Fraser Forster: Another dazzling display by the English stopper, who is surely pushing his way further and further into Roy Hodgson's reckoning in terms of a regular starting spot at international level. Produced a number of top-class saves, the best of which came late on to deny Giroud's header. (9/10)

Defence

Nathaniel Clyne: A full-back who can attack and defend in equal measure, Clyne even manages to produce an end product when it comes to crossing the ball, although it did not pay off in this one. (8/10)

Jose Fonte: For so long it looked as though the Saints were going to hold out for a valuable point and another clean sheet. An eighth shutout of the season eluded them, though, and the defence could perhaps have done better when it came to the late winner. (7/10)

Toby Alderweireld: Was forced off through injury late on, and with the visitors having already made three changes, they were forced to see out the game with 10 men which ultimately cost them. The Atletico Madrid loanee may now face a lengthy spell on the sidelines to make matters even worse. (7/10)

Ryan Bertrand: One embarrassing moment aside in the first half when he was sent sprawling by Cazorla, Bertrand can be happy enough with his showing at the Emirates. (7/10)

Midfield

Steven Davis: Linked up superbly with Pelle at one stage for arguably Southampton's best chance of the contest, while that aside he also kept the ball ticking over in midfield. (7/10)

Victor Wanyama: His usual industrious self in the middle of the park, the Kenyan had to up his game even more this evening due to the absence of teammate Morgan Schneiderlin. (7/10)

Jack Cork: Was caught by Ramsey early on and failed to see out the opening half-hour before being replaced. A big loss for the South Coast outfit, particularly with the aforementioned Schneiderlin also out. (6/10)

Attack

Shane Long: By no means a world-class performance from the forward, but he worked as hard as ever even when having to swap flanks to accommodate Tadic. Made the wrong decision a couple of times, however, particularly when shooting instead of picking out Pelle on the break. (6/10)

Graziano Pelle: It is now six games without a goal for the man who just could not stop finding the net earlier this campaign. He had a brilliant chance to change all that when played through in the first half, but he was unable to do so which ensures that the barren run continues. (7/10)

Dusan Tadic: Had very little impact on the contest, and was replaced shortly after the hour after picking up an injury of his own. Southampton will hope that it was nothing too serious. (6/10)

Substitutes

Maya Yoshida: Made a few big blocks in and around the area, although he never truly settled after being introduced. Brought down Alexis inside the box late on, but referee Andre Marriner waved play on. (6/10)

Sadio Mane: Had just one opportunity of note when replacing Tadic, firing high and wide with his effort from range. (6/10)

Emmanuel Mayuka: Likewise, Mayuka had minor involvement on things when he was brought on. Southampton were pretty much restricted to hitting their opponents on the break, but you still expect a little more from this individual. (6/10)


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Arsenals Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring the winning goal of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 3, 2014
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