Gunners back on the winning trail

Arsenal 2-0 Southampton

Arsenal were not at their free flowing best on Saturday, but as a result of their new found fighting spirit, the Gunners put in a performance which was full of grit and determination to secure all three points against a Southampton side which was brimming with confidence.

Going into this game the Saints could boast the meanest defence in the league, having only conceded 5 goals, while their pressing game had continuously received plaudits from the media as Southampton stifled the likes of Liverpool and Man United, taking crucial points from both sides and recording their best ever start to a Premier League season.

For Arsenal, coming off the back of that demoralising defeat against Man United, this was a vital game. With the Gunners proudly sitting at the top of the Premier League table, the media gladly pounce on any perceived weakness and as a result, the repercussions of any defeat are magnified and blown out of all proportion. Having seen their lead at the top of the table reduced to two points following that defeat at Old Trafford, Arsene Wenger’s side simply could not afford to drop any more points as they looked to bounce back.

However this was always going to be a difficult game, as both teams like to press the ball high up the pitch and with both defences stepping up and holding a high line, almost at the halfway line, a large number of off side decisions were given throughout the game. As a result of these pressing tactics from both teams, the game was condensed in the middle of the park and therefore, neither side was afforded any time on the ball to pick out their passes. Southampton had clearly identified Mikel Arteta as the link between the Arsenal defence and midfield and consequently applied great pressure on the Spaniard every time he was in possession. As a result Arteta struggled to orchestrate proceedings with his usual silky smooth passes and therefore, the Gunners attacking fluidity was disrupted.

However, on the few occasions that Arsenal were able to escape the Southampton shackles, the home side looked dangerous and in fact were extremely unfortunate not to take the lead early in the game, following two glorious efforts which to the frustration of the Arsenal faithful,  came back off the woodwork. In the 11^th minute, an attempted pass from Ramsey deflected into the path of Wilshere, on the right hand side of the penalty area. The young Englishman drove past the Southampton defence and as he reached the by-line, chipped the ball over the advancing Artur Boruc. As the ball looped over the Southampton goalkeeper, it seemed destined to nestle into the bottom far corner of the net, unfortunately, however, the ball came back off the inside of the post and straight into the arms of the grateful Boruc.

Arsenal were to be denied by the same post again, only five minutes later, as this time Ramsey held his head in his hands following a wonderful piece of skill which deserved so much more. Mesut Ozil’s cross from the right flank, found Ramsey in the box and the Welshman, in a show of the supreme confidence which has been a real feature of his season so far, cleverly flicked the ball towards goal with the inside of his right foot. It was a piece of supreme skill and so deceptive that Boruc was beaten all ends up. Yet again, however, the post came to the goalkeeper’s rescue, to the frustration of the Emirates crowd.

Having been fortunate to escape going behind on two occasions, Boruc shot himself in the foot in the 22^nd minute to gift Giroud and Arsenal the lead they so richly deserved at this point in the game. As the ball was played back to the Southampton goalkeeper, Giroud decided to apply some pressure on him, having witnessed Boruc’s poor clearances earlier in the match. However, the Frenchman could not have foreseen what was about to unfold, as Boruc inexplicably attempted to sell Giroud a couple of dummies instead of simply clearing the ball. However, the Arsenal striker did not fall for Boruc’s tricks, duly dispossessed the goalkeeper and fired into the empty net.

Once in the lead, Arsenal seemed to drop a level and somewhat invited Southampton onto them, maybe in an attempt to catch the visitors on the counter attack. While the Gunners relied on their new found defensive stability, which in the absence of the suspended Flamini was most impressive, Southampton started to grow into the game and forced Szczesny into a few saves which in all fairness the Arsenal number one would have been expected to save.

As the first half wore on, Szczesny first tipped over an Adam Lallana volley, following Arteta’s sliced attempted clearance, before also denying Jay Rodriguez with a decent stop low to his left.  Then in the early stages of the second period, Szczesny again thwarted Lallana, as the English international shot straight at the Arsenal goalkeeper.

Yet although the away side were enjoying more possession, the Gunners were always threatening on the break and Ozil tested Boruc at his near post, Wilshere saw his headed effort also comfortably saved by the Southampton goal keeper, before Theo Walcott, making his first appearance for two months, shot just wide of goal.

As the Arsenal faithful were preparing themselves for a nervous final few minutes, Southampton once again shot themselves in the foot, with Jose Fonte penalised for tugging the shirt of Per Merstacker as the big German attempted to get on the end of an Arsenal corner. The referee correctly pointed to the spot and with Arteta and Ozil having been substituted, Oliver Giroud stepped up to send Boruc the wrong way and seal a vital three points for the Gunners.

This may not have been a vintage display from Arsenal, but it did show an impressive new trait which has emerged this season. For so long Wenger’s side have been castigated for failing to have a plan B, however, so far this campaign, even when the Gunners have struggled to get their natural passing game going, they have managed to adapt to their opposition and then more often than not, find a way to win. There is a strength and a steely determination amongst the defensive unit which have turned Arsenal into a difficult side to break down. This combined with the fact the Gunners also possess one of the best attacking midfield units in Europe, should bode well for the months ahead. Arsene Wenger must ensure his side remains humble and continues the good work which has taken them so far this season.