Arsenal Flops Out of FA Cup Player Ratings
By Matty Sadler
January 23 2021
Arsenal were largely awful - chance creation, opposition chance prevention and ball retention. Couldn't handle Southampton's press and they looked a lot more up for the game than the Gunners. Rallied a bit later on, but even then never looked like scoring.
Frustrating that we didn't take this game more seriously but can also understand the changes given our schedule at the moment. Real shame the players we have to rotate in are so bad in terms of ability, attitude and confidence. Speaks volumes about our transfer strategy and team building that we've still got such a load of rubbish on our books.
Leno - 7. Unlucky on the goal. Made a couple of good saves including a great one off Adams in the first half.
Bellerin - 4. I know I seem to get at him a lot but I thought he was poor again. Offers nothing going forward which is why he went off.
Holding - 4. Really poor on the ball, struggled against Adams and missed a good chance.
Gabriel - 4. Struggled. Looked very rusty, perhaps understandably given how much football he's missed lately.
Cedric - 5. Thought he started off well. Got into good areas but crossing was poor throughout. Game today reemphasised the need for naturally left-sided left back cover.
Elneny - 4. Pressed out of the game by Southampton so was little use in or out of possession really. Lost the ball for their goal.
Xhaka - 4. Wasn't great but looked better when Partey came on.
Pepe - 4. Literally nothing to say about him that I haven't said on here a million times before. Did maybe four or five good things at most. Largely anonymous. No urgency until nearer the end but it's too little too late I'm afraid.
Willian - 4. Looked willing to run and work early on but predictably that didn't last beyond the first three minutes. Complete nothing performance. Disaster signing.
Martinelli - 6. High energy but his teammates rarely found him. Can only assume he was subbed off with Tuesday in mind, because he was our only attacker who looked like doing something.
Nketiah - 4. Worked off the ball but did nothing on it. Barely got it under control, in fact. Made maybe three chances for him and he failed to take any of them.
Subs:
Partey - 5. Didn't think he was great when he came on but you immediately saw the difference in quality when he came on compared to Elneny and Xhaka. Willing to receive the ball and play under pressure, willing to play forward passes, etc.
Saka - 5. Played on the wing for 10 minutes or so before being moved to left back, where he hardly got on the ball.
Lacazette - 4. No impact.
Didn't learn a great deal here.
Got to deliver in the league and Europa League now.