Arsenal player ratings vs Southampton: Willian anonymous as Gabriel Magalhaes struggles on return

Arsenal player ratings vs Southampton: Willian anonymous as Gabriel Magalhaes struggles on returnAFP via Getty Images

Arsenal’s defence of the FA Cup is over after Southampton beat them 1-0 to knock the holders out in the fourth round.

Simon Collings was at St. Mary’s to run the rule over the Arsenal players…

Arsenal ratings

Bernd Leno 7 | Star man

One of the few Arsenal players to come out of this with much credit. Made one excellent save in the first-half to deny Che Adams.

Hector Bellerin 6

Back in the side and was fairly solid upon his return. Didn’t do much wrong, but failed to make any real impact when getting forward.

Rob Holding 6

Not at his best today as he looked to deal with Adams and Danny Ings. Struggled with his passing out from the back, which has been better recently.

Gabriel Magalhaes 4

Tough afternoon for the Brazilian, who was making his first appearance in a month since testing positive for Covid-19. Scored an own-goal and looked rusty.

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Cedric Soares 6

Forced to play at left-back as Arsenal rested Kieran Tierney. Defensively looked solid, but delivery going forward was wayward.

Mohamed Elneny 5

Struggled to get going all game and gave the ball away in the build-up to Southampton’s goal. Taken off before the hour mark.

Granit Xhaka 6

Solid from the Switzerland international, even if he was a little quiet in the first-half. Improved when Thomas Partey came on.

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Nicolas Pepe 6

Really struggled in the first half to get in the game, but was better after the break and tried to make an impact.

Willian 4

The Brazilian just looks so short of confidence and he really struggled again. Was anonymous for large parts of the game.

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Gabriel Martinelli 6

Working his way back to fitness and wasn’t one of the Brazilian’s better games. Full of running, but missed a good chance from a free-kick in the first-half.

Eddie Nketiah 5

Buzzed around and made a nuisance of himself, but didn’t really put forward an argument as to why he should be starting over Alexandre Lacazette.

Substitutions

Thomas Partey (Elneny 58’) 7

Could see his quality when he came on and was a level above those around him.

Bukayo Saka (Martinelli 58’) 7

Came on and played right wing, left wing and left-back during a bright 30 minutes.

Alexandre Lacazette (Bellerin 71’) 6

Came on but couldn’t find the goal Arsenal needed to get back in the tie.

Subs not used: Runarsson, Ryan, Chambers, Luiz, Maitland-Niles, Willock.