Before the game, a large section of Arsenal fans thought that this would be a fairly routine victory - somewhat understandably because a) you had lost Mane, Wanyama, Pelle and Koeman - four important figures at the club, and b) there was a new manager who was trying to figure out his best team and formation to play.
Some of us, however, were a little more apprehensive and this isn't just because of the Saints' recent successes against us; but because of the manner in how you attained these points. The way Southampton set-up have caused us problems in all parts of the pitch and yesterday, it appeared to be no different.
In the first half, Southampton were clearly the better side in the first 20 minutes. We were given numerous warning signs when Tadic was given the freedom to work his magic and make space for himself without being picked up or marked early on. Arsenal couldn't get their free-flowing, fluent passing game going and it ended up being recycled between midfield and out wide, without actually looking to make any forays forward.
Part of this was due to Southampton's defensive organisation being very good, with pretty much the entire team helping out defensively. Chamberlain and Walcott were being doubled-up on which forced them back, whilst Romeu and Clasie were making vital interceptions and shutting down the space anytime we looked to get into your penalty box through the middle. But I also think this was partly because we had a few new additions who hadn't played in the team and there was a breakdown in communication as some players were obviously not on the same wavelength as others.
Southampton always looked dangerous going forward and it was no surprise when their doggedness led to one of our players losing possession in our half and when Redmond looked like he was shaping to shoot, he was brought down by Monreal. Tadic's expertly taken free-kick was unlucky to hit the bar, but the ricochet from Cech led to the ball bouncing bizarrely into the net. It was no more than Southampton deserved.
We then huffed and puffed, and eventually looked slightly more threatening going forward when making use of our width. It was due to our wider players pushing high up the pitch that this led to the goal. An acrobatic over-head kick from our best centre-half, on his 31st birthday, brought us level - jubilation and relief filled the air because the entire stadium knew we were fortunate to be level.
In typical Arsenal fashion, the second half started as you'd expect - Arsenal trying to dominate the ball, push higher up the pitch and gain the lead. The Saints were looking quite shaky, as we looked to up the intensity and were pressing more from the front this time. They managed to withhold it quite well, though, especially as Ozil was not at the races. He kept miscontrolling the ball, having loose touches and his usual eye-of-a-needle pass that normally comes off was being easily read. When Sanchez, Giroud and Iwobi came on, there was more directness to our play, but we didn't really muster up any massive opportunities that genuinely troubled Forster. If anything, Southampton looked more likely to regain the lead when they hit us on the counter, with Shane Long, a habitual thorn in our side, missing some guilt-edged chances.
The game was petering out and we were all resigned to yet another frustrating afternoon against Southampton who seem to have our number whenever we play - then two major incidents occur.
1) Monreal trods on Long's heel right in front of the linesman. Foul should have been given. How he didn't see this is beyond me, but we played on and we got a corner.
2) From the resulting corner being cleared, Cazorla got the ball, ran into the box and fizzed it across goal. Not sure what happened to Koscielny, but he was holding his head and Madley allowed play to go again when, by the letter of the law, should have stopped play. Some people were suggesting that he didn't see Koscielny holding his head/face, but other fans at the game were saying that he looked directly at it and allowed us to carry on. Either way, it doesn't reflect well on him because he didn't do the basics.
A tangle between Fonte and Giroud ensued, where both seemed to be grabbing each other, and Madley pointed to the spot. Southampton players were protesting furiously, but it didn't matter. The decision had been given and Cazorla scored the resulting spot-kick. Arsenal fans went into delirium; Southampton fans disgusted with the incompetence on display.
Southampton definitely didn't deserve to lose that and we definitely got out of jail. All I can say is that with the way Southampton played yesterday, they will be fine this season if they continue in similar fashion. You more than matched us and were on the end of some bad decisions in the end.
I hope this was an honest enough assessment of the game.
Some of us, however, were a little more apprehensive and this isn't just because of the Saints' recent successes against us; but because of the manner in how you attained these points. The way Southampton set-up have caused us problems in all parts of the pitch and yesterday, it appeared to be no different.
In the first half, Southampton were clearly the better side in the first 20 minutes. We were given numerous warning signs when Tadic was given the freedom to work his magic and make space for himself without being picked up or marked early on. Arsenal couldn't get their free-flowing, fluent passing game going and it ended up being recycled between midfield and out wide, without actually looking to make any forays forward.
Part of this was due to Southampton's defensive organisation being very good, with pretty much the entire team helping out defensively. Chamberlain and Walcott were being doubled-up on which forced them back, whilst Romeu and Clasie were making vital interceptions and shutting down the space anytime we looked to get into your penalty box through the middle. But I also think this was partly because we had a few new additions who hadn't played in the team and there was a breakdown in communication as some players were obviously not on the same wavelength as others.
Southampton always looked dangerous going forward and it was no surprise when their doggedness led to one of our players losing possession in our half and when Redmond looked like he was shaping to shoot, he was brought down by Monreal. Tadic's expertly taken free-kick was unlucky to hit the bar, but the ricochet from Cech led to the ball bouncing bizarrely into the net. It was no more than Southampton deserved.
We then huffed and puffed, and eventually looked slightly more threatening going forward when making use of our width. It was due to our wider players pushing high up the pitch that this led to the goal. An acrobatic over-head kick from our best centre-half, on his 31st birthday, brought us level - jubilation and relief filled the air because the entire stadium knew we were fortunate to be level.
In typical Arsenal fashion, the second half started as you'd expect - Arsenal trying to dominate the ball, push higher up the pitch and gain the lead. The Saints were looking quite shaky, as we looked to up the intensity and were pressing more from the front this time. They managed to withhold it quite well, though, especially as Ozil was not at the races. He kept miscontrolling the ball, having loose touches and his usual eye-of-a-needle pass that normally comes off was being easily read. When Sanchez, Giroud and Iwobi came on, there was more directness to our play, but we didn't really muster up any massive opportunities that genuinely troubled Forster. If anything, Southampton looked more likely to regain the lead when they hit us on the counter, with Shane Long, a habitual thorn in our side, missing some guilt-edged chances.
The game was petering out and we were all resigned to yet another frustrating afternoon against Southampton who seem to have our number whenever we play - then two major incidents occur.
1) Monreal trods on Long's heel right in front of the linesman. Foul should have been given. How he didn't see this is beyond me, but we played on and we got a corner.
2) From the resulting corner being cleared, Cazorla got the ball, ran into the box and fizzed it across goal. Not sure what happened to Koscielny, but he was holding his head and Madley allowed play to go again when, by the letter of the law, should have stopped play. Some people were suggesting that he didn't see Koscielny holding his head/face, but other fans at the game were saying that he looked directly at it and allowed us to carry on. Either way, it doesn't reflect well on him because he didn't do the basics.
A tangle between Fonte and Giroud ensued, where both seemed to be grabbing each other, and Madley pointed to the spot. Southampton players were protesting furiously, but it didn't matter. The decision had been given and Cazorla scored the resulting spot-kick. Arsenal fans went into delirium; Southampton fans disgusted with the incompetence on display.
Southampton definitely didn't deserve to lose that and we definitely got out of jail. All I can say is that with the way Southampton played yesterday, they will be fine this season if they continue in similar fashion. You more than matched us and were on the end of some bad decisions in the end.
I hope this was an honest enough assessment of the game.
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. I knew I missed someone out.
