Arsenal slumped to a third consecutive defeat as their top-four hopes suffered another blow, with Southampton securing a narrow victory.
Mikel Arteta’s plan seems to be crumbling under increasing pressure as Arsenal suffered their third consecutive defeat. This time it was Southampton, who, through Jan Bedranek’s strike late in the first half, secured the three points. The Gunners held the majority of the possession and had quite a few chances to secure a draw or even a win but remained toothless in front of goal.
Arsenal dominated the proceedings in the first half, and Southampton had Fraser Forster to thank for an incredible save from a Bukayo Saka effort. The Gunners failed to translate their domination into clear cut goalscoring chances, which cost them dearly in the end.
While the first half looked destined to end goalless, Jan Bedranek was in the right place to receive a Mohamed Elyounoussi cut-back to score past Aaron Ramsdale. The Arsenal goalkeeper had no chance to stop the effort as Arsenal found themselves behind for the third game in a row.
Forster was then at hand to make a few more saves, notably from Granit Xhaka and Emile Smith Rowe as Southampton held their own to beat Arsenal. Arteta will be lamenting the performance, especially after Tottenham’s defeat earlier in the day had opened up the chance to go level on points with their rivals. Here’s how the Arsenal players fared in their narrow defeat to Southampton.
Aaron Ramsdale: 5/10
Ramsdale did not have a great deal to work with as Arsenal controlled the possession and barely allowed Southampton any sight of his goal. As for Bedranek’s strike, the Arsenal goalkeeper had no chance of saving it, and he cannot be blamed for conceding the goal.
Cedric Soares: 3.5/10
Cedric was allowed space on the right flank and did send in a few good crosses. However, his work from set-pieces was horrid, and he wasted a few opportunities from promising positions. The Portuguese international did not have a good day on the field, with his form continuing to dip.
Arsenal have conceded the first goal in each of their last three Premier League games.
✅ Crystal Palace
✅ Brighton
✅ SouthamptonThey have gone on to lose the last two. ? pic.twitter.com/5eeJjuqrrj
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 16, 2022
Ben White: 5.5/10
Ben White was assured in possession and kept things ticking at the back. However, for the Southampton goal, the English defender found himself in no man’s land and failed to deal with the danger that proved costly in the end.
Gabriel Magalhaes: 6/10
Gabriel produced a much-improved performance compared to the last two outings. The Brazilian defender tried to break the lines with his passing and found teammates in pockets of space. He was one of the players who was constantly trying to push Arsenal forward and provided an outlet in the clash.
Nuno Tavares: 6/10
Tavares was back in the side and was one of the better performers. His deliveries from the left flank were good, and had some attackers been positionally correct, the crosses could have resulted in goals. He was taken off in the second half as Arsenal were looking for the elusive equaliser.
Albert Sambi Lokonga: 5/10
Arsenal are severely missing Thomas Partey, and Lokonga is nowhere close to being the answer. The Belgian did not do anything wrong, as he was a good outlet for receiving the ball and recycling possession. But the Ghanaian’s ability to dictate the pace and set a quick tempo of their attacks is what Arsenal missed badly in this game.
? "It's a big disappointment. I think everybody in the dressing room knows that it's not enough but we need to stick together and get back to winning ways."
? Sambi Lokonga#SOUARS
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 16, 2022
Granit Xhaka: 5/10
Xhaka was wasteful in possession, although he had one shot saved by Forster. After a bad start to the game, the Swiss midfielder gradually grew into the proceedings and was eventually shifted as a third centre-back when Emile Smith Rowe arrived on the pitch.
Martin Odegaard: 5/10
An anonymous first-half display from Odegaard may not be what Arteta wants to see from a possible future captain. The Norwegian was visible in the second period and saw one effort go wide. The playmaker needs to assert himself more, which he failed to execute.
Bukayo Saka: 4/10
Saka is losing his form with each passing game, and against Southampton, he possibly produced in his worst performance this season. He never found the cutting edge to get past defenders and struggled to impact the game from the right side of the Arsenal attack.
Arsenal have scored just two goals from their last 73 attempts.
Forster made some excellent saves today but Arsenal really need to be more clinical.
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) April 16, 2022
Eddie Nketiah: 5/10
Nketiah replaced Lacazette adequately, showing a good presence to lead the line. He was lively and made a few good plays for his teammates while getting into decent positions occasionally. It is a shame he did not end the night with a goal to his name.
Gabriel Martinelli: 4/10
Martinelli worked hard but barely had an impact from the left-hand side. He tried his best to get past defenders and was often pinned back by the Saints’ backline. In the end, it was a frustrating afternoon for the Brazilian.
SUBSTITUTES
Emile Smith Rowe: 6/10
Had it not been for Forster, Smith Rowe might have made an instant impact after scrambling a shot towards goal. He was lively overall, and without the same enthusiasm from his teammates, things looked bleak for the Gunners.
Nicolas Pepe: 5/10
Pepe did well in possession but failed to have an actual impact in the box. He mustered one good shot when he played centrally for a short period and ideally should have continued in the role.
