Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter
Arsenal are planning a £15m bid for Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, according to reports.
The Gunners had been linked with the 25-year-old last summer, with the player demanding to leave St.Mary's at one stage, and even failed to report for training as the Saints sold five of their key players.
The Frenchman eventually stayed on at Southampton, but Saints' manager Ronald Koeman admitted recently: "Keeping Morgan here will not be easy. We will have to see what happens."
The Express have reported that the Gunners, who badly in need a solid defensive midfielder, will come in for player next month, with Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United also interested.
Show all 22 1 /22Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Emiliano Martinez – 6 Kicking leaves a lot to be desired as he looked uncertain and gave away possession more often than not. Good, if comprehensive save to his left from Pelle’s deflected effort just before the break.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Calum Chambers – 7 Showed his desire to push forward and linked up well with Sanchez in the first half. Remembered his defensive duties though and disrupted a strong Southampton counter attack to break down the move.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Per Mertesacker – 6 Looked far more comfortable with Koscielny beside him and was able to focus on controlling the Gunners as a result. You still have to question why he isn’t more commanding at offensive corners given his size though.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Laurent Koscielny – 8 Important block immediately after the break denied Tadic from close range, and he utilised his pace throughout the evening to break down attack after attack. Demonstrated just how important he is to the side.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Nacho Monreal – 6 Defensively you worry when the opposition test him in the air or run at him with the ball at feet, but at least he is assured on the ball. Worked well down the left flank and provided a useful outlet for those in front.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Mathieu Flamini – 3 What exactly does he offer to the Arsenal side? His defensive qualities are far from convincing, while he is regularly out-jumped in the air and he lacks the physicality of a true defensive midfielder. Back-four are just as exposed when Flamini is in front of them than when he’s elsewhere.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Aaron Ramsey – 6 Seemed to be the centre of Arsenal fans’ frustrations but he kept fighting and was duly rewarded when his ball back across the box was struck home by Sanchez.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Santi Cazorla – 6 Blazed over when neat work from Welbeck, Sanchez and Ramsey set him up on the edge of the box. Appears to work well in the more central role he is being afforded, but final product was missing this week.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6 Lively start to the game saw him floating behind Welbeck before taking station on the left. Had a good effort saved by Forster in the first-half, and faded after the break perhaps feeling the effects of the knee injury that had him doubtful for the game. Replaced by Olivier Giroud with 25 minutes left.
Getty Images
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Alexis Sanchez – 8 Rescued the Gunners when even the most die-hard of fans will have said the draw was on. His foot work dazzled the Southampton defence and at one point they didn’t even know where the ball was, and he’s bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘one man team’. Had a late chance to double his tally but flashed the ball wide.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Danny Welbeck – 6 Broke behind defence but left-footed effort well wide. Instinctive back-heel found the side-netting and glancing header from Cazorla’s free-kick was well saved by Forster. Replaced by Lukas Podolski after 80 minutes.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Fraser Forster – 8 Got a strong hand up to push the ball over the bar when Welbeck’s flick from Cazorla’s free-kick deflected off the head of Yoshida, and he also denied his England team-mate with a one-hand reaction save. His moment of glory came though when Giroud’s looping header appeared destined for the top corner, only for a diving Forster hand to palm it away.
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Nathanial Clyne – 6 Was pinned back by Sanchez and Chambers and Southampton suffered as a result. Defended as well as he could given the talent of Sanchez, but will want to show he can cope with the world’s best if he is to make the England right-back berth his own.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Jose Fonte – 6 Commanded Saints well but was caught out early as Welbeck sprung the offside trap. Very solid in the air which nullified any threat at corners.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Toby Alderweireld – 6 Moved forward into midfield after Cork’s departure. Booked for a cynical foul on Sanchez when the Chilean had gotten away from him just before the break, and was forced to hobble off when Saints had already used all three subs, which proved costly in the end.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Ryan Bertrand – 5 Fairly anonymous with the ball bar one late surge forward as part of a counter-attack. Allowed Ramsey to get to the by-line for the goal.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Steven Davis – 6 Link up with Pelle early in the match laid the ball on a plate for the striker but he couldn’t finish it. Was forced deeper as Arsenal stepped up a gear.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Victor Wanyama – 6 Outmuscled anyone who went up against him and looked to unlock Arsenal’s defence when he had the ball. Linked up well with those in front but had to be mindful of protecting his defence.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Jack Cork – 5 Caught late by Ramsey and rolled his ankle badly. Tried to play on but forced off in the 29th minute and was replaced by Maya Yoshida.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Dusan Tadic – 4 Caught on the top of the foot by a stud’s up challenge from Cazorla. Substituted for Mane after 60 minutes, though didn’t appear to be injured and was rather anonymous otherwise.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Shane Long – 5 Hit Arsenal on the counter but was greedy and went for goal from a difficult angle when Pelle was unmarked at the back post. Replaced with 10 minutes left for Emmanuel Mayuka.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 0 player ratings Graziano Pelle – 6 Should have done better with an early chance after Davis’ return header but he blazed his first time effort high, albeit on his weaker foot. Posed Arsenal’s defence serious problems in the first 45, but he had little to shout about after the break.
Schneiderlin who has seven caps for France, has been at Southampton since 2008, joining the club for £1.2m from Strasbourg.
He has since made 11 appearances in the Premier League for the club this season, he is currently sidelined with a groin injury and missed Southampton's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Wednesday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies