Southampton vs. Arsenal: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League

Goals from Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic ensured Arsenal opened 2015 with a disappointing Premier League defeat at Southampton by a 2-0 score.

But the Gunners' wounds at the St Mary's Stadium were largely self-inflicted, as defensive lapses and a poor Wojciech Szczesny display in goal cost dearly.

The Arsenal No. 1 came too far off his line in the 34th minute, allowing Mane to loop a shot over the Poland international from a tight angle and beyond Per Mertesacker's attempted clearance. Szczesny then mis-hit a clearance to let Tadic in to add a second for the Saints. 

Arsene Wenger made three changes to his team, with Kieran Gibbs, Tomas Rosicky and Calum Chambers coming in, with the former Southampton man being deployed in a midfield role.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman drafted James Ward-Prowse into his team to replace the suspended Morgan Schneiderlin.

The Gunners were fortunate to escape going behind early on when a Tadic cross was struck against the post by Graziano Pelle, but the Saints striker should have done better with Szczesny stranded.

Arsenal finally began to find their rhythm after the 15-minute mark, with Mathieu Debuchy forcing a good save from Fraser Forster with a solid volley.

An Alexis Sanchez cross gave Santi Cazorla an opportunity to test Forster, but the Saints goalkeeper was equal to the effort.

Victor Wanyama earned the first caution of the game for a foul on Sanchez in the 23rd minute.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain went close for the visitors in the 27th minute with a looping effort, which drifted just wide.

But in the 34th minute, Southampton took the lead, with Szczesny and the Arsenal defence left flailing. Mane chased a long ball over the top by Ward-Prowse before rounding the Arsenal goalkeeper and curling a great shot home from a tight angle for the Saints.

But questions had to be asked as to why Szczesny had come so far off his line while Mertesacker could have done better with his attempted goal-line clearance.

Moments later, though, Mane was forced out of the game with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, which would leave a doubt over his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana.

Arsenal opened the second half brightly, and Jose Fonte did well to clear an opportunity after Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross for Sanchez. The Chilean then created some space for himself before firing low to Forster's left, but the England international got down well to save.

However, in the 56th minute, the home side went further ahead. Steven Davis collected a Wanyama ball before crossing. Arsenal looked to have the ball under control, but Szczesny then mis-hit his clearance, allowing Tadic to pounce and fire home.

Tadic almost added another moments later when his curling effort drifted just wide, but Arsenal were reeling.

Laurent Koscielny was next to make a defensive error when his back pass was short and Debuchy had to clear off his line as Pelle fired in an effort.

Wenger knew he had to change his system and brought on Theo Walcott for the ineffective Chambers on the hour mark. But still Arsenal struggled to create any clear-cut chances, and Forster was left untroubled in the Southampton goal.

There was a security lapse off the field late in the game too, as a supporter encroached toward the technical area to voice his displeasure towards Wenger. Luckily, Arsenal assistant manager Steve Bould was on hand to see off the interloper.

However, it was another disappointing result for the Emirates Stadium club and their manager to start the New Year.

Selected Player Ratings

Wojciech Szczesny: B-

Question mark over his decision to leave his line as Mane opened the scoring and fluffed a clearance for the second. Not the best of games for the Arsenal goalkeeper.

"

terrible day for szczesny, he's at fault for both goals

— Charlie Melman (@charliemelman) January 1, 2015"

Fraser Forster: A

At the other end of the field, Southampton had a solid presence in the shape of the England international. Might not have produced a world-class stop Thursday, but he looked comfortable with everything thrown at him.

Alexis Sanchez: A-

Another energetic display for the former Barcelona man. How Arsenal supporters must wish they had a team filled with clones of the Chile international.

What's Ahead

Southampton and Arsenal will now have a break from Premier League action as they prepare for the FA Cup third round this weekend.

The Saints face a potentially awkward tie on Sunday when high-flying Championship side Ipswich Town are the visitors to St Mary's Stadium.

The Gunners will be involved in a repeat of last season's Wembley final on the same day when Hull City visit the Emirates Stadium.

Post-Match Reaction