Southampton 3-2 Arsenal: 4 things observed | Premier League 2018-19
Finally, the much talked about unbeaten run in 22 matches across all competitions has come to an end. Suffice to say, we all knew that one way or another, the run would come to an end.
However, many did not expect it would come against a side such as Southampton, a team battling against relegation. But The Gunners have learned their lessons, there is no doubt about that.
In the article i wrote prior to the game against The Saints, I pointed out a number of things which could be evident in the game. These factors eventually came to bare, as we saw during the game. Lets take a look at four things we observed from the game.
#1 Southampton capitalised on Arsenal's make-shift back-line
Arsenal went into the game with a handful of suspensions and injuries to defenders. Sokratis and Mustafi were both ruled out of the game due to suspensions and injuries respectively, while Rob Holding is certainly out for the season, as a result of the injury he sustained against Manchester United a couple of weeks ago.
This situation left Arsenal with returning Laurent Koscielny as the only recognised centre back. Nacho Monreal and Stephan Lichtsteiner are full backs. They only deputised in that position.
Arsenal played with a back three of Xhaka, Koscielny, and Stephan Lichtsteiner. The duo of Xhaka and Stephan Lichtsteiner are not very mobile, and the movement of Danny Ings and Charlie Austin caused them problems. Arsenal conceded 3 goals from set plays, which sums up the fact that they did not particularly cover themselves in glory defensively.
#2 Arsenal's profligacy in front of goal
Arsenal were guilty of missing gilt edged chances, and could have seen off the game. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was often the culprit, as he had chances both in the first half and second half to put The Gunners in front for the first time in the game, but he was wasteful. Alexandre Lacazette also missed a good opportunity in the second half.