Arsenal lost an away game against Southampton. The kick off was on the New Year day and it was a home win for Southampton. It was a 2-0 win for them. Despite the fact that Arsenal have been playing better of late and the visitors Southampton have been showing signs that their Excellent early season form was falling away, Arsene Wenger would have known that his players would really have to be on their game to win. And that became clear early on, after the Gunners started quickly. The Saints soon got right into the game and although Danny Welbeck had an early
chance that he put wide, they soon had an even better one which Martinez was relieved to see fly over the bar. They were pressing us hard in possession and using the ball well when they had it so we knew that we were in for a tough game. It was the 25th minute when we fashioned our next decent chance, with the Ox starting and finishing the move but shooting straight at Forster.
FIRST HALF
Wenger had praised Southampton’s “miracle workers” after their impressive start to the season, and they showed their threat straight away when Steven Davis raced through only to be denied by a sprawling Ospina. But the Gunners soon started to work through the gears and not long after Rosicky had glanced a header straight at Fraser Forster they took the lead. It came after the busy Alexis had been shoved over in a central position 25 yards from goal. The Chile international has already shown his dead-ball prowess this season with a series of fine deliveries, but this time he went for goal and what a strike it was as he curled it right into the top left hand corner. It was his fourth goal in his last five games, but Arsenal’s lead did not last long as the Saints hit back from the penalty spot after Rosicky took down Mane in the area and Tadic stroked home from the spot.It was an open entertaining affair and soon afterwards the visitors threatened again as Graziano Pelle ran into space before striking the post with a firm effort.The tide had turned and, in the 39th minute, the visitors grabbed the lead as Clyne raced on to Chambers’ headed
clearance to arrow the ball beyond Ospina from 30 yards.It was some strike.Arsenal nearly hit back within seconds though, as Wilshere released Podolski with a perfectly-weighted pass but the
German’s first-time effort was saved by Forster at his near
post.
SECOND HALF
The pattern of the game continued after the break, with the
Gunners on the front foot but the visitors creating the better chances – and they soon had a major opportunity to extend their lead. Mane had been causing real problems with his pace and trickery, and he once again did well to dig out a cross to the far post where Tadic was waiting to roll it back across goal. Davis was first to the loose ball but, under pressure from Hayden, his scuffed close-range effort was saved by Ospina. It was a let-off for the Gunners, and the Colombia international was again called into action soon afterwards to beat away a fierce Tadic free kick. Arsenal needed to shift the momentum somehow, and the introduction of Santi Cazorla midway through the half helped in that regard. The Spaniard’s energy was infectious, and suddenly the red-and-white waves started to build, roared on by a vociferous Emirates faithful. Bellerin had been a lively presence down the right flank all night and, on 70 minutes, he rolled in an inviting cross towards the near post but Alexis’ first-time effort was well saved by Forster. It was an encouraging sign for the Gunners, but time was running out. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Chuba Akpom were both introduced in the closing stages as Wenger went for broke, but the chances just would not come. In fact, Pelle should have wrapped things up for Southampton with four minutes remaining but directed a free header over the bar
from six yards. With the win Southampton and Manchester United fight for 3rd and 4th spot in the Premier League.
Wenger said in his interview that 2015 will be a good year for Gunners as he hopes to finish in the top 4. He is disappointed with the match against Southampton and wishes to perform well in next games.
