Well if the Arsenal hierarchy were waiting for some form of marked improvement, it simply didn’t happen. The Gunners got lucky as the Arsenal Vs Southampton game ended in a 2-2 draw.
All the old problems and flaws were there for all to see and it’s as if we are watching a coach that is incapable of solving any of his side’s recurring issues regardless of whatever changes he makes.
Arsenal were constantly exposed and Southampton have mastered the way to beat them successfully time and time again. Exert enough pressure and show enough commitment in all areas and a result is all but guaranteed.
If Unai Emery was looking for a reprieve in the Arsenal Vs Southampton match, he was at the wrong ground. Worse still, Arsenal now find themselves behind Spurs in the premiership.
When a draw is treated like a win, there’s something wrong and it’s hard to know where to start with Arsenal but it’s clear there are absolutely no improvements on the previous two seasons.
The fact that they are allowing so called lesser teams to have a greater influence on the game despite having the lion’s share of possession is baffling. They also seem intent on providing them with countless goal scoring opportunities, which speaks volumes about their current predicament.
Arsenal managed to get out of jail here and Southampton will feel very aggrieved not to earn all three points, but
the Gunners certainly had chances but lacked clinical execution.
The niggles that one thought might be a feature of the Arsenal Vs Southampton game crept into the match as it wore on. Emery looked on uncomfortably as Southampton put down a marker of intent which ended in Danny Ings putting the Saints in front from a Bertrand free kick after 8 minutes.
Arsenal looked like a wilting flower in defence and they pushed their luck on occasion, when it looked like one moment of quality would double Southampton’s advantage.
Lacazette managed to get Arsenal back on terms (18). Ozil found Tierney, who in turn found Aubameyang. The Gabonese striker connected, thumping into Bertrand’s chest/shoulder for a possible handball decision but Lacazette ended the possibility of any dispute by finding the net.
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At half time, the Saints were certainly the happier of the two sides with nine attempts on goal compared to Arsenal’s three and it is typical of the home side to hog possession yet find themselves significantly outgunned.
In the second half, Emery decided life wasn’t difficult enough, so he made the most incomprehensible changes to his backline which comprised of Sokratis, Luiz and Tierney at one point. This, from a so called tactical expert, someone who has one leg in the job centre and the other in danger of getting chewed off by rabid supporters.
In the 69th minute, Tierney hauled over Ings and the following Ward-Prowse effort was saved by Leno but the follow up sailed into an empty net.
Arsenal got level with 90+6 on the clock and they can consider themselves extremely fortunate because it looked to everyone that the Arsenal Vs Southampton game was beyond them. Lacazette was found loitering at the back post by Martinelli and that was enough to deadlock the Arsenal Vs Southampton game.
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It’s an absolute travesty to watch this team these days. They have become a mixture of incompetence and stupidity which beggars belief.
Fergus Keating from the Guns and Yellow ribbons podcast stated that if you took Lacazette and Aubameyang out of the side, Arsenal could be considered ‘bang average’. He has a point !
As for Emery, I don’t believe Arsenal can leave him in his post much longer. One more result like this, if not before.
