Arsenal 3-2 Southampton: Three key takeaways

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Maya Yoshida of Southampton and Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal battle for possession during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on April 8, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Maya Yoshida of Southampton and Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal battle for possession during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on April 8, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 08: Maya Yoshida of Southampton and Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal battle for possession during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on April 8, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 08: Maya Yoshida of Southampton and Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal battle for possession during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on April 8, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Southampton had an early lead, and tied the game late on, just to suffer another setback with a 3-2 loss at Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

Mark Hughes deployed a 5-4-1 formation while choosing Shane Long to lead the attack.  Charlie Austin would come on and make his impact, but Guido Carrillo was left off the team sheet entirely.  Long, however, did reward the manager for his selection in the 17th minute with a something-out-of-nothing goal.

Before the half, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Danny Welbeck would each find the back of the net, giving Arsenal a 2-1 lead.

Southampton put up a fight, and fans should be encouraged with the performance, which led to a Charlie Austin poached goal to notch things up.

Arsenal continued to create going forward, and did get a game winner from Welbeck, but not in the typical Gunners fashion.  A right spot at the right time header at the back post broke the Saints’ hearts.

Still sitting in the relegation zone, with an all important game in hand, Southampton will need a quick turn around.  A home game with Chelsea is next.

Here are three key takeaways from the match.