Southampton 1-1 Arsenal: Match Takeaways

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 10: Charlie Austin of Southampton celebrates scoring the first Southampton goal with Nathan Redmond of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary’s Stadium on December 9, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

Southampton have been a lot more clinical with the addition of Charlie Austin to the squad. It has been questioned already about his importance playing in the first team due to this.

However, when in his absence, Southampton lack a real attacking outlet currently. Austin’s real weakness being an inability to complete a full 90 minutes saw him substituted off against Arsenal yesterday with the score at 1-0.

With a lack of depth in strikers who have been as clinical as him, and can lead the line, Southampton become toothless and easily disposed in the final third.

Creative players such as Dusan Tadic, Nathan Redmond and Sofiane Boufal don’t thrive as much. Half chances that are created are not finished or put on target, as well there is no vocal point to play off. Saints’ two other strikers, Manolo Gabbiadini and Shane Long don’t posses both of these abilities.

Therefore, yesterday the team had to play more cautiously, playing with backs against the wall in the second half. This only invited Arsenal to control the second half and therefore score the important goal that tied the game and cost the three points. So what can Saints do about this?