With their easier set of fixtures behind them, Southampton face a tricky Arsenal side this Sunday meaning a different approach is needed.
The Gunners will try and frustrate Mark Hughes’ side and the Saints will almost certainly be limited to a lot less possession than they’d get against a team of a similar stature. Therefore Southampton will have to focus their attention on counter-attacking and trying to get a snatch-and-grab result rather than dominate themselves.
Assuming Hughes is going to stick with the 4-4-2/4-4-1-1 that he’s used as of late, the Saints are going to need more pace and for that reason among others, Tadic needs to be dropped.
Whether it be the obvious shout in Sofiane Boufal or someone less obvious like Josh Sims or even Shane Long, the Saints will need their naturally pacey players to be able to catch Arsene Wenger’s side on the break. Tadic doesn’t offer this.
The Serbian has been nothing short of sub-par all campaign and this was no different against West Ham this past weekend.
Next: West Ham 3-0 Saints: Recap
Tadic was poor throughout, completing just two of his 11 attempted crosses and registering just a 72% passing accuracy. With the ball at his feet, he completed just one dribble despite playing the whole 90 minutes.
The 28-year-old is incredibly talented there’s no denying that, but his insistence on playing down the left rather than as a #10 is greatly hindering the Saints. He simply isn’t pacey enough for the Premier League and even so he isn’t direct either.
Against Arsenal the Saints need exactly that – to be quick and direct. Chances will be few and far between and if Tadic is pandering around on the left side, trying to cut in and pass to build-up the play like normal, the Saints will suffer.
Hughes’ formation requires the wide-players to sit a little deeper which only exacerbates the problem for Tadic – in 4-2-3-1 he was at least able to start further up the pitch.
The Serbian barely suited a wide role in that set-up and in 4-4-2 is even less effective – Hughes simply can’t play him against Arsenal. Ever since his fallout with Claude Puel this time last year Tadic has pretty much been ever-present but as his importance to the starting XI dwindles, there’s less and less reason to be so loyal.