Arsenal cruised to a seventh straight home win in the Premier League against Southampton on Sunday, with goals from Alexandre Lacazette and
The hosts went in front inside the opening six minutes
Arsenal
Key Talking Point
It certainly wasn't a vintage display from Arsenal, but Unai Emery's side showed that they can capitalise on their opponents' mistakes to devastating effect.
In possession, Arsenal were still guilty of overplaying the ball and defensively they were worrying once again. But when the Gunners turned the ball over in Southampton's third of the pitch they played brilliant one-touch football and the visitors looked lost at sea.
Arsenal are used to having all of the ball and limiting the options that their opponents have, but Sunday's reactive attacking performance shows that the north Londoners have another string in their bow and can still win games without passing the ball into the back of the net.
Player Ratings
Leno (8), Lichtsteiner (6), Mustafi (5), Sokratis (7),
STAR MAN - Granit Xhaka
He might get a bad rep in north London, but Granit Xhaka is an irreplaceable part of this Arsenal team under Emery and he showed exactly why against Southampton.
Silky af football w Xhaka and Torreira at he pivot? Emery back in lads. #afc #ARSSOU
— AN (@LightninLaca) February 24, 2019
Xhaka showing what he is capable of! I hope he can get some consistency and iron out his tendacy to give away possession because if he can then he will be a absolute top class midfielder!
— Bayfield2795 (@Bayfield2795) February 24, 2019
Granit Xhaka has turned up today. So instrumental. #ARSSOU
— Trouble in Paradise (@TheZedGooner) February 24, 2019
Xhaka is closest thing to @XabiAlonso https://t.co/apONPvG5O8
— Invincibles 49 Kroenke Out Emery Out (@RedArmy_49) February 24, 2019
Against
The 26-year-old was key to everything Arsenal did in the attacking half of the pitch, be it with his trademark long-range passing or his ability to split a killer pass through the defensive lines.
Lacazette, Iwobi and
Southampton
Key Talking Point
This might not be much of a surprise considering Xhaka was Arsenal's star man, but given the wealth of Bundesliga experience behind him, how did
Player Ratings
Gunn (5), Bednarek (5), Stephens (6), Vestergaard (5); Valery (7),
STAR MAN - Nathan Redmond
Hasenhüttl is still trying to stamp his authority on this Southampton side, but in wide man Nathan Redmond the Austrian might have unearthed the perfect centre-forward for his system.
Lovely save from Leno. Nathan Redmond got in well behind somehow.
— The Short Fuse (@TheShortFuse) February 24, 2019
Nathan Redmond is honestly quality under Hassenhuttl he’s been one of the best players in the league.
— Dylan (@Womeu_) February 2, 2019
Nathan Redmond. Hassenhuttl has unlocked him.
— Luke (@southcitizen284) January 16, 2019
We’ve got to shackle the pace of Redmond #COYG #ARSSOU #Arsenal #afc
— arsenal-talk (@gunners4all) February 24, 2019
The former Norwich star ran himself into the ground when he was leading the line in the first half, popping up all over the pitch and giving Arsenal a real headache.
Redmond even created a few chances to open the scoring but he was unable to find a way past Bernd Leno. Even though one of his missed chances actually led to Arsenal's opening goal, it was an encouraging performance from the Englishman at Emirates Stadium.
Looking Ahead
Arsenal host another side from the south coast, Bournemouth, in midweek before next Saturday's north London derby at Wembley, while the Saints have a must-win game against Fulham on Wednesday before travelling to face Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Source : 90min