Arsenal 2-2 Southampton: Premier League – Three Match Takeaways

As familiar stories go, Southampton conceding a late goal to relinquish a precarious lead must be up there with the most told tales in football.

Despite producing one of their best performances of the campaign to date, Saints departed the Emirates with a solitary point after an absorbing 2-2 draw against Arsenal.

One wonders how many Southampton fans would have taken a point at the Emirates prior to the game? Given the recent form of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, it is reasonable to assume the majority of the away fans would have been satisfied with a draw if offered the outcome at 3pm.

Yet the scoreline barely begins to tell the tale of an end to end game, which the away side dominated for large periods in an enterprising performance. Another goal for Danny Ings, coupled with a James Ward Prowse tap in after a missed penalty fell conveniently back at his feet, put Southampton in the ascendancy.

Unfortunately, a late Lacazette equaliser was enough to crush Southampton hearts deep into stoppage time. Nevertheless, when the dust settles and with a forgiving run of games to come for Saints, this may well prove a valuable point in the fight to avoid the drop.

Here’s the key takeaways away from the draw at the Emirates:

Players in their correct positions pays dividends
One of the biggest criticisms levelled at Hasenhuttl relates to his constant tinkering with formation and personnel, which has invariably led to players being deployed out of position. With Bertrand returning to the starting eleven following his recent suspension and Cedric on the other flank, it was a near enough full strength eleven which lined up at the Emirates.

Surprisingly it was Romeu who made way as Hasenhuttl opted to select forgotten man Stuart Armstrong in a midfield three alongside Hojbjerg and his trusted lieutenant Ward-Prowse. Obafemi was also a surprise selection, preferred over Djenepo and Boufal in an attacking trio.

Although the result ultimately proved disappointing, Saints played with a fluency which has been sorely lacking this season. Armstrong in particular excelled as his inclusion provided impetus and desperately needed link up for the forwards.

This wasn’t a perfect performance; indeed it was far from it as mistakes proved costly and failure to convert the countless chances created meant a weak Arsenal side were not punished. Djenepo was probably the worst culprit in his appearance from the bench, whilst Cedric had a couple of moments he would rather forget.

The underlying lesson which needs taking from the game is that if Saints are to stay up, it is imperative that players are given encouragement to develop their roles in the team rather than constantly having to adjust to ever changing positions.

Saints need more moments of ingenuity
A moment of brilliance from Ryan Bertrand was the spark which led to the first goal. After a free kick was given on the left hand side, Bertrand took the set piece quickly and in doing so, released Danny Ings into the box to finish clinically. Arsenal appealed in vain for offside but there was no reprieve from VAR on this occasion.

Southampton have laboured this season, partly due to their slow build up and a lack of ambition, imagination and creativity. Hopefully Bertrand’s flash of inspiration will demonstrate to his teammates that they need to think more outside the box in order to unlock other defences.

Taking a leaf out of the books of inventive teams such as recent vanquishers Leicester might prove fruitful in this regard. Saints rarely unveil any unusual corner or set piece routines, further reinforcing the idea that their play has an air of predictability about it. Conquer that by injecting some initiative and Southampton will lose the pedestrian feel which has gradually crept into their game.

The fragility has to go over the next few games or else Saints have sealed their own downfall 

With games against Watford, Norwich, Newcastle and West Ham over the next few weeks, there is an opportunity for Southampton to make an undeserved ascent up the table. If the players can perform like they did against Arsenal, there is every chance they can capitalise on that opportunity.

However, the last minute unravelling at the Emirates was not the first time Southampton have capitulated over the last 18 months. There is a mental weakness rife within the side, a fragility which has spread like a disease to the heart of the team.

Possibly a win will be enough to restore that confidence to the side and create some momentum but at the moment, the players look like they are feeling tentatively in the dark for the resolve required to see a game home. It would be interesting to hear Hasenhuttl’s thoughts on whether work has been going on behind the scenes on the mental side to the game.

On the technical side, the team proved at Arsenal they can rise higher than their current position of woe. The Southampton players fought and scrapped, again proving they have the commitment required. Throw off the mental shackles and we might just witness a side capable of surviving.