Premier League
Gunners Slay Saints To Return To Fluctuating Top Four
Arsenal were desperate for the three points on offer as they hosted Southampton Sunday afternoon. The Gunners began the day in fifth place, a point behind United for the coveted fourth position. While Arsenal were heavy favorites in their match, United faced the difficult proposition of hosting leaders Liverpool. The afternoon unfolded in a somewhat predictable manner. Arsenal’s home dominance over Southampton continued with a 2-0 win, while United and Liverpool labored to a 0-0 stalemate at Old Trafford. It is now the Red Devils who trail fourth-placed Arsenal by a point, with Chelsea three points behind Arsenal with a game in hand.
Match Decided in the Sixth Minute
All matches have a moment decisive to the outcome. That moment arrived quickly at the Emirates. Southampton was able to easily break a lackadaisical Arsenal offside trap in the sixth minute. As the Arsenal back line looked pleadingly towards the linesman to raise his flag, Redmond ran onto the ball in acres of space. He was forced slightly wide to gather possession as the Arsenal defense was able to momentarily recover. Redmond did well to lose the retreating Mustafi by cutting inside to his left. However, Leno did brilliantly in goal to rush forward and make himself big to shun the Southampton winger on the doorstep.
With the Saints momentarily stunned wondering what might have been, Arsenal raced to the other end. Iwobi found space on the left to chip a teasing ball into the box towards the onrushing Torreira. The Uruguayan appeared to be hauled down in the box but before the referee could decide whether to award the penalty kick, the ball was in the net. The pass fell to Mkhitaryan who lashed wildly at it with his left foot. The shot was headed well wide but was hit directly into the path of Lacazette and deflected in off the French striker.
At first glance it appeared Lacazette knew very little about the goal. But replays illuminated the sublime skill of Arsenal’s number 9, as he was able to brilliantly sort his feet out to deliver a back heel finish for the goal.
First Half Should Provide Emery with some Clarity
Arsenal’s Best Formation
Arsenal boss Unai Emery has been unable to determine his side’s best formation, but today should provide him with some answers. It has become clear that the Gunners are a much better team with four defenders rather than five. Arsenal’s 4-2-3-1 formation worked brilliantly, even with top-scorer Aubameyang on the bench along with Özil, the side’s chief creative force. Emery must abandon his compulsion to play with five defenders, as the Gunners have looked clueless when deployed in that conservative style.
Arsenal’s Best Midfield
Arsenal look far more dangerous without Matteo Guendouzi in the starting lineup. Arsenal’s win percentage and goal differential are far superior when Guendouzi is omitted from the starting-11. The teenager has had an impressive season in many regards, but has provided astonishingly little going forwards.
It is perhaps unfair to expect more from the 19 year old, but Emery must realize he has overplayed the youngster. Guendouzi has played the most games of any player at the club this year, and Emery must realize he needs to rely more heavily on his experienced players during the run-in. Xhaka and Torriera have established an excellent partnership at the base of midfield this season which must be preserved. The pair dominated this match, as Arsenal produced some of its best football in months.
Insurance Goal Arrives from a Mistake
The Gunners were flying forwards with every attack and created a host of chances with their brilliant play. Xhaka, Torriera, Iwobi, Mkhitaryan and Lacazette all played excellently, with the latter squandering several chances for a second goal. Despite the sumptuous attacking football, the Gunners’ second arrived from a mistake.
A poor back-pass put the Southampton keeper Angus Gunn in a precarious position. His scrambled clearance didn’t have the necessary distance and the ball was quickly headed back down Saints’ throat. Iwboi did well down the left and sent a low cross through the box. It reached his opposite winger, Mkhitaryan, on the right side. The Armenian passed the ball in at the near post for his third goal against Saints this season.
Özil Update
No Arsenal article would be complete without an update on the frosty relationship between Emery and Özil. The German finally got a start over the weekend and played well, but again found himself on the bench for this match. Aaron Ramsey was instead given the nod as the attacking midfielder, but was withdrawn for Özil with a half hour remaining.
The second stanza was brought to life by some pieces of outlandish skill from the German. He had the crowd on its feet with several gorgeous passes to fellow substitute Aubameyang. Sadly, the Gabonese striker has been in a poor run of form and was unable to find Arsenal’s third. Özil’s speed of thought and technical ability make the game look easy. Perhaps too easy, as it often leads to the appearance of a lack of effort. Surely he has done enough to warrant a start home to Bournemouth on Wednesday.
Moving Forward
Southampton fall into the drop zone with this defeat and now face a struggle to stay in the Premiership. Still, most expect they’ll be able to overtake Cardiff to escape relegation.
Arsenal have a favorable run-in, with only two more fixtures against the top-6. The Gunners still lack clarity as to their best route into the Champions League. They can either finish in the top four or win the Europa League. Weeks ago, it felt as if the Europa League was the most realistic route. With a strong field remaining in that tournament and Arsenal presently in the Premier League top four, the best route may now be their domestic league. For now, Arsenal won’t be able to prioritize either competition over the other.
Photo credit to Southampton via Twitter
