After what seemed to be the longest international break in living memory, it was great to be back watching 'proper' football and even better as Arsenal were back to winning ways. We faced a Southampton side that have improved vastly upon the team that we hammered 6-1 at the Emirates last season; so much so that they sat 3rd in the table at the start of the weekend.
Before Saturday's game, Southampton had conceded just 5 league goals, giving them the meanest defense in the league, making it all the more suprising that the game hinged on a rather calamitous error from Artur Boruc - with Olivier Giroud closing him down, he first dillied and then dallied before Giroud tackled him and played the ball into the open net. Being the heartless sort, I laughed pretty hard but I don't think the same can be said for Boruc's team mates or manager. Boruc also let in a howler against Stoke goalkeeper, Asimir Begovic and he certainly has a lot of making up to do. Garth Crook's reaction was perhaps a little harsh: "He should be fined two weeks' wages for that." If I was fined two weeks' wages every time I made a blunder I would be without a roof over my head pretty soon... although I imagine its a bit different for professional footballers.
Our Polish goalie on the other hand put in another commanding performance, dominating his area and making some good saves and picking up his 3rd clean sheet in four games for us - a statistic I take great encouragement from. It is also worth noting that Mathieu Flamini's protection wasn't needed for those games. Our back four all played extremely well and are showing the kind of organisation and reliability that comes from having a settled and focused defence. Another encouraging statistic was that we won an extremely impressive 28/32 aerial duels.
Although our first goal came from a howler, it could easily have come from a moment of brilliance. First Jack Wilshere's exquisite chip with his right foot came back off the post and then Aaron Ramsey channeled his inner Kanu to back heel against the same post after some sensational build up play. Jack was played through the middle in the number 10 role which Özil normally occupies and I thought he played very well - he had a tough physical battle with the unit that is Victor Wanyama but his class shone through.
The game was pretty even and Southampton look a very handy team but I think the Arsenal side of 2013 has a new found resilience and I have much more faith in the team to see their way through difficult situations. Of course, situations are much less difficult when the opposition gifts you two goals, as they did yesterday. The second goal came from a penalty after Jose Fonte needlessly tugged Per Mertesacker's shirt after an Arsenal corner. Per's reaction was priceless.
"Overall we could not take our chances today but we took advantage of their mistakes" - Arsène Wenger
With Arteta and Özil both having been subbed off, the responsibility fell to Olivier Giroud to take the penalty - he cooly dispatched it for his tenth goal of the season. I've spoken at length on this blog about Olivier Giroud's contribution to the team this season and I'm delighted for him. Another positive came in the form of the returning Theo Walcott. We have coped admirably without our wide men; Podolski, Walcott and the Ox but it is fantastic to have one of them back. It may take him a while to get back to full fitness and form but I can't wait to see his runs in behind being rewarded regularly with Özil's through balls.
We only have until Tuesday to wait for our next game, where hopefully we will dispatch Marseille and seal qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League. Until then, let's just enjoy being four points clear at the top of the table.
Man of the Match:
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