The title favourites had gone into the match
needing a win to top the log, with Liverpool
having defeated Leicester City 1-0 earlier in the
day.
The Gunners, however, started badly with the
saints ensuring that Wenger’s men were not
allowed space for their style of football.
Southampton showed better coordination as
they mounted pressure on Arsenal and
deservedly went into half time leading 1-0.
Backup right back, Cuco Martina, chose the
right match to show his quality with a
spectacular low volley in the 19th minute.
The goal came after a long spell of pressure on
a shaky Arsenal defence, marshaled by Laurent
Koscielny and Par Matersacker.
In the second half, Southampton continued
from where they left off and quickly put the
ball in Arsenal’s net but was rightly ruled out
for offside. They, however, made it 2-0 in the
50th minute through Shane Long to further
darken Arsenal’s Christmas.
Wenger introduced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
for Joel Campbell in the 64th minute and it
appeared the players suddenly realised what
was at stake as they tried to get back in the
game.
The night got worse instead. It was 3-0 in the
69th minute courtesy Jose Miguel Fonte and
Shane Long completed a brace in the 90th
minute as the hosts refused to be intimidated
by Arsenal’s stars and pre-match rating.
The Saints held on for a famous 4-0 victory
over the London giants as Arsene Wenger’s
men missed a glorious chance to
become league leaders after trailing Leicester
for weeks.
No comments:
Post a Comment