Played
January 1, 2013 5:30 PM GMT
St. Mary's Stadium — Southampton, Hampshire
Referee:‬ L. Probert‎
Attendance:‬ 31743‎
 
35′ G. Ramírez
Guilherme Do Prado 41′ (OG)
   
 
 

Player Ratings: Southampton 1-1 Arsenal

Guly do Prado's own goal drew the Gunners level after Gaston Ramirez's opener, but the visitors failed to pose any real threat as Nigel Adkins' men claimed a well-earned point

By John Stammers at St Mary's Stadium

  • Artur Boruc
    31
    21
    2.00

    Artur Boruc

    Barely had anything to do in the first half but still looked like conceding. Lucky not to be punished when he let a corner slip through his hands and then failed to collect a cross moments later, as well as slicing a kick for good measure. No chance with the goal.

  • Maya  Yoshida
    50
    7
    3.50

    Maya Yoshida

    Unfortunate not to have a penalty early on. Assured as ever on the ball.

  • Jose   Rocha Fonte
    19
    6
    3.00

    Jose Rocha Fonte

    Solid enough performance. Put some good tackles in and won his headers. Helped out by Arsenal's lack of attacking penetration.

  • Luke Shaw
    39
    3
    3.00

    Luke Shaw

    Held his own for the most against Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was not as his best, but looked nervy at times.

  • Morgan Schneiderlin
    20
    7
    3.50

    Morgan Schneiderlin

    Some sloppy passes on occasions but brought the ball out of defence well. Had a hand in the build up to the goal. Broke up numerous attacks.

  • Steven Davis
    13
    7
    2.50

    Steven Davis

    Brought the ball forward with intent at times but failed to find a final pass.

  • G. Ramírez
    55
    4
    4.00

    G. Ramírez Top of the Match

    His direct and dangerous runs worried Arsenal but often lacked final product. Took his goal extremely well, though. Possibly unlucky to be penalised for a push when he had the ball in the net a second time. Rightly received an ovation when brought off late on.

  • Jack Cork
    16
    17
    2.50

    Jack Cork

    Looked a bit slow on ball and struggled as a right-back. Didn't give Saints the same outlet as Clyne offers but was solid in defence.

  • Guilherme  Do Prado
    17
    10
    3.50

    Guilherme Do Prado

    Unfortunate to score an own goal as he tried to stop Walcott's free-kick, which Koscielny would have probably put in anyway. Forced Szczesny into a good save in the second half. Put a shift in and tracked back well.

  • Jason  Puncheon
    15
    7
    2.00

    Jason Puncheon

    Should have scored before Ramirez's goal. Gave away the soft foul on Arteta that lead to the Gunners' goal. Found the side netting when presented with a good chance of his own but created a few decent openings late on to relieve some pressure.

  • Rickie Lambert
    17
    7
    2.50

    Rickie Lambert

    Could have scored ten minutes in had he held his run. Looked unfit and needed an extra yard of pace at times.

Substitutions

  • James  Ward-Prowse
    8
    6
    3.00

    James Ward-Prowse

    Replaced Ramirez with around 15 minutes remaining.

  • Jay Rodriguez
    10
    6
    3.00

    Jay Rodriguez

    Thrown on for Lambert to add some fresh legs.

  • Steve de Ridder
    10
    6

    Steve de Ridder

    Came on late on for Do Prado.

  • Wojciech Szczesny
    73
    34
    2.50

    Wojciech Szczesny

    Nothing to do in the first 45, and had no chance with Ramirez's goal. Didn't command his area all that convincingly. Brilliant save to deny Do Prado and then an even better one from the resulting corner, though. Weak parry from Schneiderlin cross would have led to a Saints second if any red shirts were lurking.

  • Bacary Sagna
    8
    171
    3.00

    Bacary Sagna

    Put in a few good crosses. Made a fine last-ditch challenge on Guly which unfortunately for him still led to the opening goal. Didn't look as sharp as usual.

  • Thomas Vermaelen
    82
    31
    3.00

    Thomas Vermaelen

    Dealt with Lambert and made one goal-saving tackle on Ramirez but could have conceded a penalty against Yoshida. Could have been more commanding at times, the first goal for instance.

  • Laurent Koscielny
    72
    33
    3.00

    Laurent Koscielny

    Involved in some lack-lustre marking and was part of a defence who failed to clear their lines for the opening goal. Did make some important blocks and was lurking behind Guly for the own goal.

  • Kieran  Gibbs
    20
    82
    2.50

    Kieran Gibbs

    Did not show enough power in the tackle in the lead up to the first goal and gave away the ball cheaply at times. Had some joy going forward. Arsenal may well have scored late on had he found a team-mate.

  • Mikel Arteta
    79
    44
    3.50

    Mikel Arteta

    Kept things ticking. Won the free-kick which led to the own goal. Went close with a vicious strike in the second half.

  • Jack Wilshere
    96
    32
    3.00

    Jack Wilshere

    Nice interplay with Cazorla in and around Saints' area but failed to cut through their defence. Battled hard as always, though.

  • Santi Cazorla
    28
    94
    3.00

    Santi Cazorla

    Had a decent early strike deflected just wide, but was largely quiet. Did move the ball well with Wilshere at times. Looked in need of a rest and got one when he was brought off in the second half.

  • Lukas Podolski
    23
    115
    2.00

    Lukas Podolski Flop of the Match

    Saw an early shot blocked but was quiet from then on. Gave away the ball in the build up to Saints' opening goal. Brought off early in the second 45.

  • Theo Walcott
    35
    94
    2.50

    Theo Walcott

    Good delivery led to own goal and had the ball in the net himself but it was, rightly, disallowed for offside. Didn't do much else on his St Mary's return, though, as he failed to get involved and wasted a number of positions with sloppy play.

  • Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
    53
    58
    2.50

    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

    Looked dangerous when running with the ball and offered some decent crosses. Not the best of returns to the south coast and was brought off with 15 minutes left.

Substitutions

  • Aaron Ramsey
    29
    78
    2.50

    Aaron Ramsey

    Came on for Cazorla with 15 minutes left.

  • Olivier Giroud
    76
    35
    2.50

    Olivier Giroud

    Came on for the below-par Podolski early in the second period but added little to an already less-than-impressive attack.

  • Gervinho
    12
    141
    2.50

    Gervinho

    Came on for Oxlade-Chamberlain for 15 minutes in the second half. Found the side netting late on.

Results
 
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Manchester United
26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool
23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham
21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa
19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City
19 0