ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE may have just saved Unai Emery’s job as well as Arsenal’s blushes.
The French striker popped up six minutes into additional time to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Southampton after earlier equalising.
Unai Emery is clinging onto his job by his fingertipsCredit: EPA
The Emirates faithful were still not pleased with what they saw after dropping yet more points, and a chorus of boos greeted the final whistle.
Here’s how Sun Sport’s Gary Stonehouse rated each Arsenal player from the Premier League clash:
BERND LENO – 7
Good save to deny Lucas Torreira from an embarrassing own goal right at the start of the second half.
Could do nothing about Danny Ings’ opener either after being left exposed by his defence.
Tipped another strike over the bar and then saved James Ward-Prowse’s penalty – only for the midfielder to tap home the rebound. Cruel luck for the German stooper.
HECTOR BELLERIN – 6
Struggled to get forward and support the attack throughout.
And after the switch to four at the back, he was forced to sit back as he failed to make an impact.
CALUM CHAMBERS – 4
Guilty of a terrible schoolboy error for Danny Ings’ opener.
He was too busy looking elsewhere and arguing with the ref as Ryan Bertrand slipped the ball in behind the defence for the Saints striker to race clear and score.
Replaced at the break in favour of Nicolas Pepe.
Calum Chambers had a stinker against the SaintsCredit: AFP or licensors
SOKRATIS – 5
Recalled in back three after missing out in the defeat at Leicester but it’s hard to see why.
Slow, hardly imposing and paired together with David Luiz, the Arsenal defence is extremely vulnerable.
Spent most of the time arguing with the officials, earning himself a booking, before his second half howler.
Was caught dwelling on the ball for too long inside his own half midway through the second period, Ings stealing possession and almost setting up his onrushing team-mate. An afternoon to forget.
DAVID LUIZ – 5
Wanted a penalty on 27 minutes after theatrically going to ground following a challenge from Jan Bednarek.
He then had a worrying moment while trying to play a quick free-kick just inside halfway but became embroiled in a tussle with Ings and Stuart Amrmstrong.
The Arsenal defender then looked like he aimed an elbow as he attempted to shove off Ings, but after a lengthy delay, the ref awarded the Gunners the free-kick.
KIERAN TIERNEY – 6
There is no doubt his attacking threat severely helps Arsenal, and he provided plenty of ammunition for the forwards today.
But his defensive capabilities leave a lot to be desired.
Torreira also had a bad day at the officeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
LUCAS TORREIRA – 5
Booked on 23 minutes hauling Nathan Redmond to the ground.
Did little else to write home about before he was replaced late on.
MATTEO GUENDOUZI- 6
Provided a little more than his midfield team-mate with his legs, supporting both attack and defence.
But the pair were quite often caught out by several Southampton counter attacks.
MESUT OZIL – 6
Struggled to get involved early doors, but finally burst into life for the equaliser, racing forward to launch the attack and feeding Tierney out on the left.
Moments later he showed something we rarely see, winning a tackle on the centre circle to begin another counter.
And he had the fans singing his name before the break after some neat skill but the closest he came to a goal was when his late effort was tipped over.
Seems to be well and truly back in favour with Emery, with this being his third Prem start on the bounce after just one in the first three months of the campaign.
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE – 8
His energy is endless and no-one can accuse him of not giving it all.
Showed great composure to equalise as he pounced on a loose ball after Aubameyang’s shot was blocked.
He was the hero right at the death as he powered home from Gabriel Martinelli’s cross at the back post.
And he had also almost earlier provided an assist for his partner in crime, but the captain was denied spectacularly.
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG – 7
Huffed and puffed along with Lacazette but they just simply could not get the ammunition.
The Frenchman did provide him with his best chance, but his side-footed strike from eight yards was knocked round the post by Alex McCarthy’s left boot.
Lacezette fired two goals to salvage a last-gasp pointsCredit: EPA
SUBS
NICOLAS PEPE – 7
Was introduced at the break and his energy made an instant impact. He should have been more greedy when played clean through shortly after his arrival but instead tried to square for Lacazette only to be blocked by Jan Bednarek.
Seconds later he acrobatically almost got his side into the lead, but his effort agonisingly bounced up off the turf and onto the crossbar.
Booked for a kick to Nathan Redmond on 65 minutes but his energy levels improved the team.
JOE WILLOCK – 5
Made little impact going forward, although he did head over from a corner.
Managed to make a crucial goalline block to deny Djenepo from making it three.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Impresses nearly every time he plays.
Provided the burst of pace and the cross for Lacazette’s late equaliser.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
