Arsenal 3-1 Southampton player ratings: Europe’s assist king Bukayo Saka drives comeback win | OneFootball

Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a 3-1 comeback win over Southampton on Saturday.

The Gunners were expected to steamroll the struggling Saints, but were frustrated in the first half, going into the break goalless despite attempted 14 shots. Just one of those shots hit the target in a wasteful display.  Arsenal then fell to a shock lead as Cameron Archer found the bottom-right corner in the 55th minute.

That only proved to spark Mikel Arteta’s men into life, with Arsenal drawing level through Kai Havertz just three minutes later, while Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka finished the job to leave the hosts level on points with Manchester City and just one behind early leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal player ratings

Arsenal conceded just two shots on target, so Raya had only one opportunity to make up for Archer’s goal. Completed three long passes at a 60% accuracy rate.

Deputised as a right-back as he did early last season and did well. Won the most tackles (4) of any player across gameweek seven so far, while carrying the ball into the final third 10 times. Won all five of his ground duels.

Completed four long passes and two take-ons, while his retention rate was 97%, which is no shock from Saliba nowadays. Lost two of his four aerial duels.

Like Saliba, Gabriel completed four long passes. However, he was beaten in two of his three contested aerial duels. Made one block and missed one big chance.

Made three interceptions that kept possession, with only Virgil van Dijk matching him this gameweek so far. Made one tackle and had five touches in the opposition box. Calafiori is going to prove popular among Arsenal fans.

Played more successful passes into the penalty area than any other midfielder this gameweek so far (3), but lost half of his six ground duels, lost possession five times and was dribbled past twice.

Completed 41 of his 43 attempted passes, but only five of them went into the final third. Seems to be playing within himself slightly, although he did make a couple of tackles and three clearances.

Two more assists to take him to seven for the season, which is the most across Europe’s top five leagues. Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne hold the record for most assists in a single Premier League campaign (20) but the way Saka is going, he could chew that total up by Christmas. Today’s assists came from four big chances created, which is the most of any player this gameweek. Of course, Saka also finished the job with a goal of his own in the 88th minute. The only thing dragging his score down is the fact he lost a match-high 10 duels, though two of those came in the air, while another two came from dribbles as he tried to take the game to Southampton.

Pulled Arsenal level just three minutes after falling behind and went on to attempt seven shots, the joint-most of any player this gameweek. Missed one big chance, but won four of six contested aerial duels and played three touches into the opposition box.

Was fouled twice and won the ball three times in the final third, but failed to register a shot on target or create a big chance. Busy but ineffective, with Arsenal coming to life once he was replaced by Trossard.

No big chances created or shots on target, but Sterling did complete three take-ons and win possession in the final third three times. Was replaced by Martinelli, who put Arsenal ahead just eight minutes later.

Southampton player ratings

Conceded three goals, but they came from 2.77 xG. Boosted his rating by making three saves to stop things from getting any worse for the Saints against his former club.

Created one big chance and made three tackles, but completely destroyed his score by giving away the ball for Saka’s goal in the 88th minute, which put Southampton to bed. The lowest-scoring full-back this gameweek so far.

The lowest-scoring centre-back this gameweek so far, perhaps in part thanks to being part of a defence that conceded a whopping 20 shots inside the box. Failed to complete any of his three long passes and lost his only contested ground duel.

Didn’t do too much better than his centre-back partner but did, at least, complete five of six attempted long passes, while his 13 clearances are the most of any centre-back this gameweek.

Played seven passes into the final third and completed his one tackle. However, Walker-Peters failed to create any chances and was unsuccessful with both his attempted dribbles, while also being dribbled past himself twice.

Was taken to task defensively, but was successful with both of his tackles, while he won four of six ground duels and both of his aerial duels. Completely pinned back, unable to create a chance, attempt a shot or play a pass into the final third.

Got forward much more than his teammates and tried to offer an outlet but was often isolated, having the least touches of any player to go the 90 minutes (27). Created one chance but both of his shots were blocked.

The lowest-scoring central midfielder of the gameweek so far thanks to his error leading to Arsenal’s first goal. Downes also played just two passes into the final third and posted a 0% success rate on long passes (0/4), dribbling (0/1) and tackles (0/1).

Didn’t create any chances and was unsuccessful with both attempted dribbles. However, he put in a good defensive shift, with two out of his three tackles won, alongside two clearances, one block and two interceptions.

Provided the assist for Archer’s goal and completed both attempted take-ons but was otherwise restricted to trying to help out his defence. Did just that with a 100% tackle success and three clearances.

Came on for the injured Ross Stewart after just 27 minutes and put Southampton into a shock, short-lived lead after the break. Rather isolated thereafter with just 20 touches overall, but won one of three aerial duels and made a tackle and interception.

How do Squawka player ratings work?

Squawka’s new player rating system is completely stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.

Using extensive research and our expertise, we’ve tailored each score to the player’s position. For example, forwards’ scores are based on metrics such as shots on target, touches in the opposition box and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes and so on.

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