Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Jorginho, Havertz, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Sterling.
Southampton starting XI: Ramsdale, Suguwara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Downes, Manning, Aribo; Fernandes, Stewart, Dibling.
Match officials:
Referee: Tony Harrington.
Assistants: Darren Cann, Derek Eaton. Fourth official: Josh Smith.
VAR: Michael Salisbury.
Assistant VAR: Ian Hussin.
Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Saturday 5th October 2024
KO: 15:00 (UK)
As we build on two recent positive results against Leicester and PSG, we look to face Southampton today for another home fixture. Arteta will be looking to implement the same ideas in the first half against PSG against a weaker opposition.
With Saka and Havertz in form we will be looking to punish Southampton who have had a struggling start to the season as they are currently sat in the relegation places following their recent promotion from the championship.
Only one major new injury concern apart from the missing Odegaard which is the absence of Jurrien Timber who was taken off at half time in the midweek fixture against PSG.
As we got up and running, in the first few minutes Southampton allowed us to keep the ball ticking as we maintained possession. Our first opportunity came as the chance fell to Sterling who couldn’t bundle home. Saka then came down the wing and cut the ball into Jesus whose attempt didn’t affect Ramsdale.
We then had shouts for a penalty as Sterling went down however, the referee was having none of it. Our relentless pressure was forcing Southampton to make mistakes as we edged to towards the first goal. Moments later we had two corners however, neither could be converted with Havertz heading over.
15 minutes in Southampton made their first surge into our half as a weak volley was straight at Raya. We had another corner which was just about pushed out by Ramsdale again for another Arsenal corner. Rice swung it in but it went straight out of play. Saka then went down after a strong challenge from Walker-Peters however, Bukayo was able to continue.
Southampton then had their own injury concern as Stewart went down and was replaced by Cameron Archer. A couple of minutes later, we earned a free kick which was whipped in by Saka but straight into the arms of Ramsdale. As we look to build our momentum Havertz’s effort was blocked well by Walker-Peters.
A different corner routine this time as Rice played it short to Sterling who laid off to Saka whose effort went high and over. Jorginho then had a close effort with Ramsdale scrambling which went wide. Sterling was the latest Arsenal player to have their moment as his firing attempt was blocked by a defender.
Two minutes were added as Partey’s effort was parried out to Sterling by Ramsdale as Sterling fired the rebound wide. After a frustrating half, the referee blew the half time whistle.
Half time views:
A very dominant performance where we haven’t been clinical in the final third. Arteta will be happy with the posession kept and closure of any signs of Southampton pressure.
No subs need to made just a good half time talk form Arteta as these games are never easy as we learnt last week against Leicester.
The second half began and Southampton looked to keep the ball as Dibling left Calafiori for dust and played the ball to Fernandes whose effort hit the bar. Sterling had looked quite hungry and did brilliantly to find Havertz from the byline however, the German was only able to win a corner.
Against the run of play of the first half, Southampton broke away as Fernandes sent the ball over to Archer who cut in and finished nicely into the bottom right corner. As the home crowd jeered us up we looked to equalise and so we did instantly. Saka won the ball back and played the ball to Havertz who instinctively ran with it and fired a shot in off the left post and into the net.
Arteta then made a triple substitution as Jorginho, Jesus and Sterling made way for Merino, Martinelli and Trossard. Partey’s shot then deflected off of Bednarek’s boot and out for a corner, which came to nothing. We were really ramping up the pressure and we finally got the lead as Saka played a beautiful lofted pass to the back post to Martinelli who was there to poke home past Ramsdale.
The triple change by Arteta had made a huge difference since the equaliser. Southampton then tried to carve out a chance through Archer, however he was quickly crowded out by Arsenal players. Southampton then pushed on as Dibling hit the outside of the post and then seconds later, Harwood-Bellis’s effort struck the bar from close range.
A minute later, Havertz’s effort went into the side netting. Partey was then replaced by Tomiyasu for his return to the team. We then added our third goal as Saka swept home after a poor touch from Sugawara. One of our last changes of the game came through Calafiori who was replaced by Kiwior. 9 minutes were added on as we still looked to find another goal.
We looked for breakthroughs however, the players made the right decisions to hold the ball up for no mistakes as Southampton looked down and out. After 100 minutes, the referee blew the full time whistle to end a hectic second half.
Full time views:
A very disjointed first few moments to the second half, however a great response from the lads to keep going a push for the win. Arteta will be disappointed to concede another goal at home to a weaker side but will still be proud of the performances from our attack.
My MOTM has to be Saka. Although there were other good performers such as Havertz and Sterling, Saka’s quality ultimately won us the game.
Anyhow, onwards and upwards as we head into a two-week international break and return at Bournemouth away.
COYG
Hudson
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 