Arsenal’s 19-match unbeaten run was ended in a 2-0 home defeat by Southampton in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. Here’s how we rated the Gunners players.
Emiliano Martinez: 6
Could do little about either goal. Made good second-half saves from Josh Sims and Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg.
Carl Jenkinson: 5
A real struggle for the right-back at times, especially against Sofiane Boufal and the overlapping Ryan Bertrand. Dispossessed shortly before Southampton’s second goal and was replaced on 64 minutes by Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Gabriel Paulista: 7
Began the night with tears in his eyes as he displayed a banner paying tribute to the Chapecoense players killed in a plane crash. His focus was unaffected, and he was particularly strong in the air.
Rob Holding: 7
The ex-Bolton man, on his sixth appearance for Arsenal, was tidy on the ball, got some good blocks in and looked as composed as his more experienced centre-back partner.
Kieran Gibbs: 6
Captain for the evening and while he was reasonable defensively he offered very little going forward.
Francis Coquelin: 6
A hit-and-miss display from the Frenchman, whose touch let him down on occasions and he was unable to screen the back four effectively. However he did get a couple of shots away and kept the ball well at times, although he was rarely incisive.
Mohamed Elneny: 6
Came off shortly before half-time, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealing afterwards that the Egyptian had been ill before the game and was still suffering with the after-effects. Unsurprisingly, the game passed him by while he was on the field.
Jeff Reine-Adelaide: 6
The 18-year-old has great potential but sometimes tried too much with the ball in this one, coming up against a more experienced operator in Bertrand. Replaced on 62 minutes by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Aaron Ramsey: 6
Supposedly playing in the centre but too often drifted around to the left flank looking for space as Southampton dominated the midfield. Had five shots on goal but only tested Fraser Forster with one.
Alex Iwobi: 7
One of the few bright spots on a dismal night for Arsenal. He was busy, bright on the ball and got a second-half shot away, but also picked up a yellow card.
Lucas Perez: 6
Back in the side after injury and his five-week absence showed in a rusty performance, having fewer touches than any other Arsenal player who lasted 90 minutes.
Granit Xhaka: 7
Came on for the stricken Elneny and was a considerable improvement on anyone else in the Arsenal midfield.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 6
Could have dragged Arsenal back into the game but blazed a shot over the bar.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: 6
Came on at right-back and put in a solid display.
