Arsenal vs. Southampton: Live Player Ratings for the Gunners

Arsenal host Southampton in a Premier League match on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium in London.

We will have live ratings for the Arsenal players, right here, at half-time and full-time. Join us for live player ratings and analysis at both junctures. 

Player	Half-time	Full-time
Substitutes	Half-time	Full-time
Wojciech Szczesny	7	7
Bacary Sagna	6	7
Laurent Koscielny	7	8
Per Mertesacker	6	7
Kieran Gibbs	7	7
Mikel Arteta	6	7
Aaron Ramsey	7	7
Jack Wilshere	6	7
Mesut Ozil	7	7
Santi Cazorla	6	7
Olivier Giroud	7	8
Theo Walcott	N/A	6
Tomas Rosicky	N/A	5
Nacho Monreal	N/A	6

Half-time analysis

The match started 15 minutes late following a delay due to ongoing transportation problems in London. Once it started, Arsenal wasted little time attacking.

Jack Wilshere close in the 11th minute with a chipped shot that cleared Artur Boruc before bouncing off the upright, allowing a grateful Boruc to collect. Seven minutes later, Ramsey hit the same upright with a cheeky backheel from Mesut Ozil's pass.

Arsenal went ahead through Olivier Giroud in the 22nd minute, but the goal had everything to do with an error by Boruc.

The Southampton keeper took too much time to clear a backpass, allowing Giroud to steal the ball and finish into an empty net for a 1-0 Arsenal lead at half-time.

Wojciech Szczesny: Made a decent save on Lallana's volley after Arteta gifted Lallana a chance. Dealt with a corner well during Southampton's strong spell. Finally, made an excellent save from Jay Rodriguez's volley late in the half.

Bacary Sagna: Won three aerial duels in the first half, joint-most on the team (with Arteta, Giroud and Gibbs).

Laurent Koscielny: Recorded three tackles, two interceptions and six clearances.

Per Mertesacker: Made one interception and one clearance.

Kieran Gibbs: Made three interceptions and two clearances at his full-back position.

Mikel Arteta: Kept Arsenal ticking over in possession, as usual. Gifted Lallana a chance along the edge of the box. Made a team-high four interceptions.

Aaron Ramsey: Came close with cheeky backheel that hit the post. That he nearly took a half-chance in such a manner demonstrates—yet again—how high his confidence is at the moment.

Jack Wilshere: Came close with a nice chip from a tight angle.

Mesut Ozil: Dangerous cutting in from left. Set up Ramsey's chance.

Santi Cazorla: Drifted in and out of the middle

Olivier Giroud: Alert and in the right place to take advantage of Boruc's mistake to score a goal. Also contributed with good defending—he made four clearances—and strong hold-up play.

Full-time analysis

Giroud converted an 86th-minute penalty to seal a 2-0 victory for Arsenal, but the win wasn't quite as comfortable as the scoreline suggests.

Following an injury layoff, England winger Theo Walcott entered as a substitute for Arsenal, making his first appearance since Sept. 18. Tomas Rosicky and Nacho Monreal also entered as substitutes.

Wojciech Szczesny: A solid match for Arsenal's No. 1.

Bacary Sagna: Strong, as usual, at right-back. Arsenal really must re-sign him.

Laurent Koscielny: Finished with a team-high 10 clearances to go with four tackles—one as the last man—and three interceptions. An assured showing. 

Per Mertesacker: Took over as captain following Arteta's departure through injury. Put himself in a dangerous position to win the penalty.

Kieran Gibbs: Attacked with dangerous intent down Arsenal's left flank. 

Mikel Arteta: Had his afternoon cut short through injury. Completed 84 percent of his passes.

Aaron Ramsey: Dispossessed three times, but completed 88 percent of his passes.

Jack Wilshere: Directed a weak header on goal. Moved back beside Ramsey in the holding role when Arteta left the match.

Mesut Ozil: Shot tamely from a tight angle during a spell of pressure.

Santi Cazorla: Flashed some brilliant footwork. Had a strong penalty claimed turned down. Completed 79 percent of his passes and three dribbles.

Olivier Giroud: Fought for every high ball, chased every Southampton back-pass. Worked tirelessly.

Substitutes

Theo Walcott (for Cazorla, 70'): Flashed a shot wide following a swift Arsenal counter late in the match.

Tomas Rosicky (for Arteta, 74'): Completed only 50 percent of his six passes. Didn't make much of an impact.

Nacho Monreal (for Ozil, 81): Shored up Arsenal's defending as they sealed the three points.

Stats via WhoScored.com.