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Walcott And Welbeck Work Their Magic – The Best And The Worst Rated Arsenal Players vs Southampton

Arsene Wenger will have been a happy man after seeing his Arsenal side thump five past Southampton without reply

Danny Welbeck scored on his Arsenal return and Theo Walcott hit a hat-trick against his old club as the Gunners battered Southampton 5-0 in the fourth round of the FA Cup at the St. Mary’s on Saturday night.

Arsenal did not take long to get going against the Saints, who were coming on the back of a League Cup semi-final victory over Liverpool, with Danny Welbeck scoring a delightful chipped goal after Lucas Perez sent him through on goal. And soon the former Manchester United man grabbed a second, getting on the end of a brilliant pass from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from the midfield to make it 2-0. The visitors continued to dominate proceedings as Perez and Welbeck combined beautifully before the Englishman pulled the ball back from the left-side for Theo Walcott to hit home the Gunners’ third of the night.

The former Southampton man continued to torment his old side after the break and doubled his tally after substitute Alexis Sanchez picked him out in the box with a clever pass from the byline. And with just five minutes to play, the duo combined again with the Chilean teeing up Walcott who made no mistake and completed a fine hat-trick.

It was a clinical display from the Gunners and Arsene Wenger, who had to watch the match from the stands due to his ongoing four-match ban, would have been very pleased with his team’s performance without a number of key stars in the line-up.

Let’s take a look how each player fared for the Gunners:

David Ospina – 7

Had very little to do, but was alert to situations when called upon, making a few good saves. A commanding presence in the box.

Hector Bellerin – 6

With very less to do defensively, the Spaniard got forward well at every opportunity, but lacked the cutting edge in the final third.

Shkodran Mustafi – 7

Another solid display from the summer signing. Always got the better of Shane Long in the air and dealt with his threat quite comfortably.

Rob Holding – 6

Had some troubles early in the game with Long getting the better of him. But improved as the game wore on and was largely untroubled.

Rob Holding (C) vies with Southampton's Florin Gardos

Kieran Gibbs – 5

Had quite a few nervy moments with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Cuco Martina enjoying much joy on his flank. Did not offer a lot in the attacking sense either.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 7

The youngster was a joy to watch in the middle of the park. Energetic and driven, he made some marauding runs forward while remaining sound in defensive duties. Played a role in the build-up to the first goal.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 9

Bossed the midfield with his impressive range of passing. Set up Welbeck’s second of the game with an excellent pass and was involved in Walcott’s second goal as well, making a darting run into the box before picking out Sanchez. Really impressive from the former Southampton man.

Jeff Reine-Adelaide – 7

Unspectacular but solid. Reine-Adelaide was the perfect foil for Oxlade-Chamberlain in the middle of the park, as he defended resolutely and looked extremely comfortable in possession. Silently dominant.

Theo Walcott – 9

Found himself in the right place at the right time on three occasions and made them count with some clinical finishes, grabbing a hat-trick against his former club. His pace caused plenty of problems for the Saints defence throughout the course of the game.

Lucas Perez – 8

The Spaniard’s rise continues with another highly impressive display on the night. Set up the opener for Welbeck with a lovely flicked pass, before showing amazing skill and presence of mind in the lead up to the third goal. Was denied a deserved goal late in the game by an excellent stop from the Southampton goalie.

Danny Welbeck – 9

Welbeck was making his first start since May 2016 after a long spell out through injury

What an amazing return for the Englishman! Starting his first game for the Gunners since May last year, Welbeck did not take long to get going and took his first goal with a lovely lobbed effort. Doubled his tally seven minutes later with a lovely finish between the Saints’ goalkeeper’s legs, then went on to set up the third for Walcott with an accurate cutback.

Substitutes

Alexis Sanchez – 8

What an impact the Chilean had; coming on from the bench. Replaced Welbeck in the 65th minute and not long after, set Walcott up for Arsenal’s fourth and teed up the Englishman again for his third goal.

Alex Iwobi – 6

Replaced Reine-Adelaide for the last 20 minutes and looked comfortable with his team dominating the proceedings.

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