Santi Cazorla’s stoppage-time penalty helped Arsenal to a 2-1 win over Southampton at the Emirates. TheHardTackle discusses some of the key points from the Premier League clash on Saturday.
Arsenal earned a last-minute 2-1 victory over Southampton at the Emirates to continue their recovery following the opening day shocker against Liverpool. The North-Londoners now have 7 points from 4 games and sit in 6th place for the time being as Arsene Wenger attempts to marshal his forces to silverware in what could likely be his final season in charge.
Things didn’t exactly go as planned with Southampton surging into the lead through a Petr Cech own goal. The Czech Republic shot-stopper was unlucky on that occasion as Dusan Tadic’s free-kick struck the bar and ricocheted back into the goal off Cech’s back, much to the goal-keeper’s disappointment. Arsenal, however, did pull it back through Koscielny, who scored an overheard kick to level matters at the Emirates. A controversial penalty decision in the dying minutes of the game against Jose Fonte gave Cazorla the opportunity to secure the winner and the Spaniard did so with aplomb.
1. Mustafi looks the part; Perez yet to impress
The Gunners’ faithful had their first sight of new boys Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez on Saturday and it’d be fair to say that both enjoyed contrasting fortunes on their big day. While Mustafi immediately impressed the supporters and showed what they had missed, Perez passed through the game a rather unknown entity.
The German international arrived from Valencia on a £35 million switch in the last week of the transfer window as Wenger answered fans’ calls to sign another experienced centre-back to go with their purchase of young Rob Holding. Mustafi was quick to settle into his role at the back and showed a good level of understanding with Laurent Koscielny to forge a strong partnership at the back.
Arriving from a Spanish scene that lays more emphasis on technicalities in the game, Perez will have to accustom himself to life in the Premier League soon if he has to set out and justify the price-tag that brought him from Deportivo La Coruna to the North Londoners. The striker was far from impressive in a game where he offered little to no attacking threat at all. Even Olivier Giroud, the striker he’s slated to compete with for his starting place, had a better outing having come on as a substitute, even winning the penalty at stoppage time that earned Arsenal the three crucial points.
2. Controversial penalty decision costs Saints
At the end of the day, it must not be forgotten the victory was a really fortuitous one for the Gunners who had a very controversial penalty decision given in their favour that helped them take the three points. Jose Fonte, who was a summer target for Arsenal and Manchester United, was apparently caught holding the shirt of Giroud as the striker attempted to set free in the box. While the contact was slight, the reaction from the Frenchman helped earn his side a penalty, a call that left everyone including Southampton boss Puel surprised and angry.
Even the likes of Ozil and boss Wenger weren’t exactly sure about the call and admitted that the Gunners were fortunate to have had the decision in their favour. Fonte, on the other hand, was left hard done by the incident and took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the incident.
3. Claude Puel yet to find his feet in English football
Southampton have proved to be a farm system of players and managers for the rest of the Premier League over the years, with a number of teams taking the south coast route to satisfy their needs. While they have lost a significant number of class players from their squad, they have also lost two of their better managers in the Premier League era to the giants of English football.
Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman were both in the midst of something special at St. Mary’s, carrying forward a project that helped the south coast club climb leaps and bounds in the pecking order of English football. But both the bosses left the club behind having been offered better contracts at Tottenham Hotspur and Everton respectively. Having recruited both the aforementioned names from outside the confines of the Premier League, the Southampton board may have thought it fit to do the same for a third time and bring in Claude Puel from Nice.
However, if early signs are any indication, it appears Puel will need time to settle into the rigours of the English game. Sure, he comes with promise of growth as he did at Nice, but the Premier League is no Ligue 1. The English footballing scene has become far more competitive from the times Pochettino and Koeman took over at the club, which leaves the Frenchman with a tougher job than his predecessors. Southampton currently sit in the relegation zone and with a talented squad at his disposal, Puel has to settle in quickly and get his team back on track. His side did well to take the lead against Arsenal but then struggled to hold possession and take their chances, both of which eventually cost them the game.
4. Veterans Cazorla and Koscielny come out trumps when team needed them most
Cazorla has time and again showed how important a player he is for Wenger & Co. He did so once more on Saturday, taking a cool and composed penalty amidst all the nerves and tension at stoppage time. The Spaniard even proved to be the difference for Arsenal against Liverpool in the opening game when he came on as a substitute in the second half and nearly helped his side from 4-1 down to fighting for an equalizer at 4-3.
It helps for Wenger to have players of his experience and class rubbing shoulders with the youngsters in his side and will aid them in their pursuit for success in what could be his last season with the North London giants. Koscielny was a warrior on the field for his side as he helped his team get back level with a spectacular over-head kick. It’s the kind of fight Arsenal need to show if they are to secure honours and a leader like Koscielny could go a long way in ensuring the Gunners achieve their targets.
5. Resting key players is a dangerous business Arsene must avoid
Arsenal have a fair amount of depth in their squad going into another Champions League campaign. However, some decisions to rest key players nearly cost them three points at the Emirates on Saturday. While some players arrived late from international duty, some of the others like Granit Xhaka were rested to prepare them for the midweek trip to PSG.
It is a gamble because of the message that it sends. Alexis Sanchez only came back from international duty on Thursday evening so that is understandable. The message that it sends and losing some momentum can cost the Gunners dear in the Premier League.
