Arsenal 2-0 Southampton: Saints brushed aside and left to rue costly errors
By Marc Walker
Two first-half strikes from Alexandre Lacazette and Henrikh Mkhitaryan saw Southampton brushed aside 2-0 by Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
The two well-taken match-winning goals came in the sixth and 16th minutes but Saints were left to rue some costly mistakes at the back again in the defeat.
Ralph Hasenhuttl made three changes to his side ahead of the game with Angus Gunn, Matt Targett and Stuart Armstrong returning to the starting line-up.
A bright start from Saints could have seen Nathan Redmond open the scoring as his shot was well charged down by Bernd Leno, but they were soon behind.
A deep cross found Henrikh Mkhitaryan in space for an effort that seemed to be going wide, but Alexandre Lacazette was on hand to flick the ball smartly past Angus Gunn.
Obafemi's new Saints contract shows the potential that he has. dark. Next
Saints would again go forward in search of a reply and had good chances from Stuart Armstrong and Matt Targett well thwarted by Arsenal.
However, poor play at the back would cost them and gift the hosts a second.
More from Saints Marching
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
- It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
- Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
- A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse
Angus Gunn was forced into a hurried clearance that gave possession to Alex Iwobi and the winger’s deflected cross created an opening for Mkhitaryan to slot home at the far post.
It was becoming a first-half that Saints needed to see out until the break but they were finding Lacazette in particular hard to deal with.
The Frenchman would have no less than four chances to add a third for the home side but was denied by Bednarek, Gunn and by his sudden inability to hit the target from inside the six-yard box.
As it was, 2-0 was the scoreline at the midway point and Saints needed to show some pride and fight in their performance in the second period.
Both Charlie Austin and Michael Obafemi came on and a big chance for James Ward-Prowse came as he won possession close to the Arsenal goal.
Granit Xhaka’s risky pass was cutout by the Saints midfielder who controlled and smashed a shot that few just wide from a promising position.
It proved to be a much quieter half for both sides overall but a late flurry of chances could have seen either team score.
The introduction of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw the Gabon forward denied a goal of his own by good work from Gunn and then Bednarek before Matt Targett forced a good save from Leno with a sweetly struck volley.
Any points gained from this game were always going to be a bonus for Saints and they now head back to the South Coast for a crucial clash with Fulham on Wednesday evening.