Arsenal 3-1 Southampton player ratings: Two players shine with 9/10, while Sterling and Jesus struggle…

Arsenal secured a 3-1 win over Southampton, and the player ratings indicate that two stars were awarded 9/10, while Sterling and Jesus struggled to make an impact.

Following Arsenal’s 3-1 victory against Southampton, player ratings reveal that two individuals achieved impressive scores of 9/10, while Sterling and Jesus had a more challenging outing.

Arsenal maintained their pursuit of Liverpool and Manchester City with a solid victory over Southampton.

The Gunners staged a second-half comeback to secure a 3-1 win, featuring goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka, who delivered an outstanding performance.

In the first half at the Emirates, Arsenal encountered frustration against a resilient Southampton side, which showed significant improvement from their previous 3-1 loss to Bournemouth.

Several changes were made to the lineup, with Jorginho, Gabriel Jesus, and Raheem Sterling starting, marking Sterling’s first Premier League appearance for the club.

The hosts were taken aback when Cameron Archer broke free and skillfully curled a shot past David Raya in the 55th minute to give Southampton the lead.

However, Havertz quickly equalized after Saka capitalized on a defensive mistake.

Saka then provided a precise cross for substitute Martinelli to score at the back post, and in the closing minutes, he finished clinically with his weaker foot, beating his former teammate Aaron Ramsdale.

Raya had little chance to stop Archer’s goal and was mostly occupied with retrieving the ball from the net.

He nearly faced embarrassment from Taylor Hardwood-Bellis during a late corner when he failed to clear the ball, but the subsequent header hit the crossbar.

Thomas Partey – 5

Back in the right-back position he occupied at the start of last season, Thomas Partey struggled to make a significant impact on the game.

He did not offer an overlapping option when Saka was double-marked and did not move into midfield to assist Jorginho and Declan Rice in creating overloads.

He found himself in a challenging position, allowing space in the channel for Archer, while Partey was unable to close down Mateus Fernandes quickly enough to prevent the goalscorer from getting a shot off. In the closing moments of the match, with Arsenal leading 2-1 and trying to fend off Southampton, Partey was substituted for Takehiro Tomiyasu.

William Saliba – 6

William Saliba may feel he could have done more to restrict Archer, as the former Aston Villa striker was afforded too much space to curl a shot past Raya.

Gabriel – 6

Gabriel had a relatively uneventful night, not being responsible for Archer’s goal and failing to connect with a Saka set-piece to make an impact at the other end.

Riccardo Calafiori – 7

Calafiori is rapidly becoming a fan favorite at the Emirates, and performances like this one against Southampton certainly contribute to that reputation.

The Italian faced early pressure when a long ball sailed over his head, leaving him surrounded by Ross Stewart and Tyler Dibling. However, he skillfully controlled the ball and maneuvered past another opponent, evading danger with ease.

In the second half, Dibling proved to be a tougher challenge, but Calafiori remained assertive in his tackles while also supporting the attack. Ben White and Jurrien Timber now face significant competition for their positions.

Midfield

Jorginho – 7

Jorginho provided essential composure to the Arsenal midfield, as demonstrated by an early clever pass to Havertz, a type of play that neither Partey nor Rice would have executed during their tenure together.

He was substituted shortly after the hour mark, but his involvement enabled Rice to advance into the box and push forward, rather than remain deep to assist Partey in maintaining possession. This adjustment created a noticeably more dynamic balance that Mikel Arteta will likely take into account for future matches, particularly against teams that Arsenal is expected to dominate in terms of ball control.

Declan Rice – 6

The former West Ham captain had a relatively uneventful afternoon, yet he delivered several promising corner kicks that Southampton managed to handle. With Jorginho’s presence, he appeared more inclined to push forward, although he was unable to make a significant impact in the attacking third.

Kai Havertz – 9

In a more liberated role, Havertz thrived playing off Jesus, stepping outside his usual number nine position, which was exemplified by a brilliant finish that equalized shortly after Southampton’s opening goal.

When released by Saka, he skillfully maneuvered around a defender and struck the ball with enough force to leave Ramsdale with no chance, celebrating his goal with enthusiasm.

Havertz has now become only the second Arsenal player to score in seven consecutive appearances at the Emirates, following in the footsteps of Robin van Persie, as he continues to justify his £65 million transfer fee.

Attack

Bukayo Saka – 9

As the key player of the match, Saka assisted both goals. Although he was less prominent than in the previous week’s match against Leicester, he remained equally impactful in the attacking phase.

He provided the crucial pass to Havertz, showcasing their developing partnership, before delivering a perfectly placed cross to Martinelli at the back post for the winning goal. Saka once again made a significant contribution without drawing excessive attention.

He sealed the victory with a precise finish using his right foot after the ball became loose in the area, confidently converting past Ramsdale to secure three points that had previously seemed uncertain.

Gabriel Jesus – 5.

With Havertz’s rise as a centre-forward, Jesus must seize every chance to secure a starting position in the Premier League.

Unfortunately, he struggled to make an impact and was substituted after an hour. In the first half, he had an opportunity to assist Saka but chose not to pass, as Havertz was more influential in both attack and midfield roles.

It was expected that he would be replaced after 60 minutes by Leandro Trossard, who significantly enhanced Arsenal’s performance upon his arrival.

Raheem Sterling – 5

In his first Premier League start for Arsenal, the Chelsea loanee began brightly and sought a penalty after a collision in the box, but the referee dismissed his claims.

However, he failed to capitalize on that promising start and was easily dispossessed leading to Archer’s goal, despite his protests for a foul.

There were a few near-misses, but like Jesus, Sterling did not live up to expectations. Martinelli’s goal will be a mixed blessing for the 29-year-old; while his team secured the three points, it further solidified the Brazilian’s position in the starting lineup over Sterling.