Danny Ings 5, James Ward-Prowse 6; Bukayo Saka 8, David Luiz 5 - Southampton v Arsenal player ratings

Pepe, Saka and Lacazette all on target as Arsenal claim all three points

SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS: Alex McCarthy, 6 – A mixed game – started off well with an outstanding one-on-one save after Lacazette broke free inside the opening minute. But made the wrong decision to leave his penalty area leading up to Saka’s strike before half time that put Arsenal ahead. Reuters

Yan Valery, 6 – A first Premier League start of the season for Valery, but perhaps didn’t do his game or chances of remaining in the first-team much good when Saints return to full strength with a sub-standard performance. Admittedly came up against a much-improved Arsenal side, though. EPA

Jan Bednarek, 5 – Struggled to get the ball out of his own half as Arsenal pressed high with Lacazette leading the pressing charge. Found it hard to deal with Smith-Rowe’s movement and pace too, ultimately couldn’t follow up Saturday’s strong outing. Reuters

Jack Stephens, 5 – A poor giveaway of possession allowed Arsenal to equalise in quick time after Southampton took an early lead. Fans will be frustrated by a certain lack of energy and enthusiasm to get the ball away from dangerous areas in sufficient time. Will enjoy better days. EPA

Jake Vokins, 6 – A first Premier League start since Saints’ 1-1 draw with Brighton in July 2020. Although the hosts conceded three goals, Saints’ fans can take plenty of encouragement from a generally sound performance from Vokins. Plenty to learn still, though. AFP

Stuart Armstrong, 7 – The pick of Southampton’s players. Netted a fine goal in the opening minutes before stepping off the line and changing the complexion of Saints’ attacking options in midfield. Too often found himself carrying the team though and his efforts weren’t matched by those around him. Reuters

James Ward-Prowse, 6 – Made it difficult for Arsenal to win back possession at times by playing quite deep when receiving the ball. Had a chance to ignite a late comeback for Southampton with a close-range free kick on 85 minutes, but his effort was well-saved by Leno. Simply wasn’t able to dictate play. AFP

Ibrahima Diallo, 7 – Concluded the game playing at left-back, but delivered a confident performance throughout and ensured Arsenal had to remain wise to the hosts’ attacking threats. AFP

Theo Walcott, 5 – Will leave the field frustrated having lost out to his former club. A lack of composure on 37 minutes when ballooning the ball out of play with Ings and Adams making dangerous runs to the left and right sticks out. Otherwise tested the palms of Leno in the second half. Reuters

Che Adams, 5 – Not his best performance, lacked composure at key moments of the game where Southampton had opportunities to get themselves back into the game. Won’t want to go too much longer without a goal to his name – just one since November 6 now. AFP

Danny Ings, 5 – A determined figure at the top of the pitch for Southampton, he was always fighting and scrapping for every ball that came his way. But ultimately his goal drought continues with just one scored since December 7. EPA

SUB: Nathan Redmond (For Vokins, 67), 6 – Made little impact on the game in the limited minutes he had. Valuable game time all the same. EPA

SUB: Dan Nlundulu (For Walcott, 73), N/R – Created very little for himself in the few minutes he played. Reuters

SUB: Caleb Watts (For Ings, 73), N/R – Gave it his all, but it was always going to be a big ask for the youngster to make an impression. AFP

ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno, 7 – Nearly pulled off a remarkable save to deny Armstrong in the opening minutes of the game. Patrolled his defenders well and displayed strong hands when palming down a thunderous strike by Theo Walcott shortly into the second half. AFP

Hector Bellerin, 7 – Pressed high up the pitch when Arsenal found themselves in possession, a trait that was perhaps the difference between both teams off the back of Saturday’s FA Cup loss to Saints. Booked for a clumsy challenge on Armstrong where he gambled on the midfielder’s movement. EPA

Rob Holding, 8 – 100th appearance for Arsenal started off in poor style when Southampton took an early lead. But he has established himself as a leader in the heart of the Gunners’ defence, and those leadership qualities were called upon this evening as David Luiz too often switched off and left the visitors exposed. Reuters

David Luiz, 5 – A disappointing performance where he can be thankful for the performances of his teammates around him. Marking was off at times – most notably for Saints’ first half goal and when Ings escaped Luiz to force Leno into a save. Switched off late on too against Adams. EPA

Cedric Soares, 8 – Could have grabbed the headlines when striking a wonderful volley in the direction of McCarthy’s far corner, though it fizzed just wide. Much more aware of his defensive responsibilities compared to Saturday’s Cup game and like Bellerin played higher while Arsenal were in possession. Good performance. EPA

Alexandre Lacazette, 7 – Should have opened the Gunners’ account inside the opening minute but struck his one-on-one attempt with McCarthy into the arms of the home ‘keeper. Otherwise, he was on the move every time the visitors picked up possession and provided a superb assist to Saka for Arsenal’s second goal before scoring himself. AFP

Thomas Partey 8 – Brought stability to Arsenal’s midfield, an element that was desperately needed following Saturday’s sub-standard performance. Great composure on the ball and escaped his markers with ease when under pressure. Limped off the field with cramp inside the final quarter-of-an-hour. Reuters

Granit Xhaka, 7 – A much-improved performance from four days ago and Arsenal’s FA Cup exit. Sat well in the heart of midfield and possibly benefitted from an increase in the number of options available to him. A fine assist to Pepe to bring Arsenal level within minutes of going behind was fully deserved. Reuters

Nicolas Pepe, 7 – Appeared to start where he left off on Saturday when allowing Armstrong to strike a volley into the visitors’ net under no pressure with only three minutes on the board. But this error sparked a turnaround in Pepe’s performance as he grabbed a goal before playing well on the left side of midfield by making excellent out-of-possession runs. Subbed. AFP

Emile Smith-Rowe, 7 – A big boost to Arsenal to have him back in the squad. Pressed well from the midfield and made a nuisance of himself by always being on the move and possessing high levels of energy. Saints’ 4-4-2 setup aided his game too as the hosts struggled to accommodate for the extra man in midfield. AFP

Bukayo Saka, 8 – A fine performance, topped by his goal on 39 minutes when he found the net under extreme pressure from Saints’ defenders but also his own body weight which threw him forwards. Grabbed a fine assist too when teeing up Lacazette for Gunners’ third. Reuters

SUB: Willian (For Smith-Rowe, 71), N/R – Struggling for form right now and must prove himself when handed the opportunity by Mikel Arteta, did little this evening. EPA

SUB: Mohamed Elneny (For Partay, 77), N/R – A solid replacement for Partey, albeit while Arsenal held a comfortable lead. Reuters

SUB: Joe Willock (For Pepe, 90+2), N/R – Brought into the game with seconds remaining. Reuters

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka possesses leadership qualities beyond his years after the teenage winger produced another impressive performance in Tuesday's 3-1 win at Southampton.

The 19-year-old scored in the first half and assisted Alexandre Lacazette's close-range effort in the second to help secure the victory that lifted Arsenal to eighth.

"He's really humble, respectful and at the same time has that character to demand the ball, to make decisions that are not very usual for his age," Arteta told reporters. "We need that leadership and he's gaining that with his attitude.

"He's all the time asking to train more to improve in areas that he can do better. That was certainly one, producing the final bit in the box to score or assist.

"If he's able to do that with the intelligence that he has, with the work rate that he shows on the pitch and with the capacity that he has to understand the game in different positions, then he becomes a really different player."

Arteta said midfielders Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey would be assessed ahead of Saturday's home game against Manchester United after being substituted due to "discomfort".

Arsenal are on 30 points, five behind West Ham United in fourth place, the final automatic Champions League spot for next season. (Reporting by Arvind Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford )