EFL Cup 2016/17: Arsenal 0-2 Southampton - 5 Talking Points

The Gunners are out of the EFL Cup after a 2-0 defeat against Southampton

Southampton stunned Arsenal last night in the quarterfinals of the EFL Cup as the Saints ran out 2-0 winners at the Emirates. The visitors dominated the game as Arsenal yet again faltered in the quarter-finals stage of this cup competition.

Both the sides rotated their squads with a view to keeping the team fresh and ready as the games come thick and fast in the English league.

Jordi Clasie scored a brilliant pile-driver; his first goal for the club, at a very crucial stage in the game. Ryan Bertrand doubled the lead in the first half as the Gunners were left as mere strollers in the park by Claude Puel's men in the first half. The second half was a more evenly contested affair but it was too little too late for the hosts to mount a comeback.

Let's take a look at the five talking points from the entertaining game that happened at the Emirates:

#1 Arsenal’s rotation policy bites them

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal in action during the EFL Cup quarter final match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on November 30, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) — Arsene Wenger made far too many changes against a strong opponent

The Gunners made 10 changes from their win against Bournemouth with Mohammed Elneny being the lone survivor from that starting eleven. Elneny was also substituted in the first half due to an injury. The second string side struggled in every department as Southampton were the deserved winners on the night.

Claude Puel has a strict rotation policy which enabled the Saints squad to be ready for selection as on the other hand, Arsenal's fringe team looked lost at times and were devoid of ideas.

The Arsenal manager made a huge mistake by resting all his senior players and in hindsight, he should have at least played a couple of them from the team that beat Bournemouth in the weekend.