Former Premier League winner discusses Southampton's huge mistake against Arsenal

While Southampton exceeded expectations from their fans with a great defensive display until around the hour mark where they even took a surprise 1-0 lead, the result was another 3-1 defeat for Russell Martin's side. Although there were a lot of positives for the Saints despite the away defeat, manager Russell Martin and his side must be wondering that at one stage, they actually stood a chance to take the three points from the match. For the three minutes of Southampton's lead, it seemed that their hardwork and defensive ethic are about to be well rewarded if they manage to keep Arsenal from scoring as they had done for the large part of the match.

However, Southampton couldn't manage to keep their calm and composure much longer and made two defensive mistakes in Arsenal's three goals to register a comeback 3-1 win. On the first goal, Southampton continued their usual build up play from the defence but captain Flynn Downes took a mistimed touch on the ball which came towards Saka, who then quickly assisted Kai Havertz for the 1-1 equaliser. After the match, former Premier League winner Micah Richards discussed Arsenal's first goal which came through Southampton's huge mistake, saying,

Former Premier League winner discusses Southampton's huge mistake against Arsenal

"When it works for Southampton it looks really good. When it doesn’t, it looks ridiculous. But that’s what the manager wants them to do and he is sticking to his principles.

Russell Martin is playing players who are comfortable doing it but doing it in the Championship and doing it in the Premier League are two very different things."

Richards highlighted that the Saints should have changed their build up play to be more quick after their lead and to focus on avoiding giving away ball possession inside their half. After the first goal, Arsenal gained more confidence and then found the second as well as the third goal to complete a massive 3-1 win. Similarly Southampton dropped points against Ipswich Town a few weeks ago, when they couldn't clear the ball in the last-minute of the match and Sam Morsy's deflected attempt found the back of the net to keep the Saints away from a first league win.

Occasional mistakes in defence and attack have denied Southampton from taking some more points this season, but still the Saints need to work on their crucial mistakes to make a good comeback in their Premier League campaign.