Arsenal player ratings: Bukayo Saka tears Southampton to shreds but team-mate Gabriel Jesus drained of all confidence
ARSENAL came from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 in front of a temporarily anxious Emirates crowd.
The Saints, who sit 19th, were full of concentration in the first half, and saw themselves go 1-0 up through Cameron Archer.
Fernandes’ diagonal after robbing Raheem Sterling, on his full Prem debut, set substitute Archer away in the 55th minute.
But an immediate reply from Arsenal saw Kai Havertz cancel out Saints’ shock opener with a fantastic finish past Aaron Ramsdale – to score in his seventh home game in a row.
Gabriel Martinelli completed the turnaround after no-one was close to tracking his far-post run as Bukayo Saka picked him out with a lovely deep cross to the back post.
The visitors hit the post late on, before Saka built on his two assists to make it THREE – to leave Arsenal third and level on points with Manchester City in the Prem.
Here’s how SunSport’s Ivan Speck rated every Arsenal player…
David Raya – 6
A spectator for most of the game. Could do anything to keep out Cameron Archer’s curling opener.
Thomas Partey – 6
Swapped his usual defensive midfield role for right-back, though given the one-way traffic, he barely had any defensive duties.
But he supported Saka at every opportunity.
William Saliba – 6
Dependable as always when he was needed, which was mostly in the second half.
Could have closed down Archer more quickly for the Southampton goal, but not alone in that.
Gabriel – 6
Spent more time in the Southampton box trying to get his head on corners than in his own area, especially in the first half.
Handled the giant Paul Onuachu well when Southampton threw him on.
Riccardo Calafiori – 5
Given a couple of uncomfortable moments by Tyler Dibling.
Did not seem to know which way the St Mary’s youngster was going half the time.
Jorginho (c) – 6
Inches wide with a searing low shot late in the first half.
Probed but rarely found an incisive pass through the yellow shirts. Taken off after an hour.
Declan Rice – 6
His usual solid self and tried to take on a more creative role with Southampton camped out in front of their own area, but prefers an open game to showcase his box-to-box talents.
Raheem Sterling – 7
A freedom about his play. Happy to take on defenders at pace with his dancing feet.
Unlucky not to finish off one dazzling run and even more unfortunate to be taken off after an hour.
But was robbed of the ball for the Saints opener.
Bukayo Saka – 9
A game of two halves. Had to cope with being double-teamed every time he picked up the ball in the first half and there was disbelief around the Emirates when he launched one shot high into the stands.
The second period was a different story. Tore Southampton to shreds time and again.
A brilliant floated cross for Gabriel Martinelli to put Arsenal ahead, then a typically clinical finish for his side’s third.
Kai Havertz – 8
Proved his worth again as a scorer of important goals with the crucial equaliser just as nerves were beginning to jangle around the Emirates.
Gabriel Jesus – 4
Too long in the shadows has drained him of the belief he had when he first arrived at Arsenal as the main man up front.
Two tame shots summed up his current ineffectiveness.
Subs
Gabriel Martinelli (Sterling 60) – 8
Three weeks ago, his role in the Arsenal side was in question.
His form has returned in spades with a second Premier League goal in successive weeks.
Leandro Trossard (Jesus 61) – 7
Like Martinelli, welcomed as a hero when he came on. Has become an important player in this Arsenal team. His run led to the third Arsenal goal.
Mikel Merino (Jorginho 61) – 6
A first Premier League appearance in Arsenal colours. Introduced just as the games was opening up and will benefit from the taster.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (Partey 84) – 6
Back from injury. Given a run out towards the end to ease him back into first team duties.
Jakub Kiwior (Calafiori 90) – 6
Introduced late on when the game was won. Not much to do.