TOTL still. But a wasted chance to increase the gap. This was another game of two halves. Or rather the first 25 minutes and then the rest of the game. Today was a dose of realism. You can’t win every game. Especially if you don’t take your chances.
Again, we started the game with energy, domination and control. We were clicking and tearing them apart. We took the lead – deservedly – when White combined with Saka to deliver the perfect cross for the goal scoring machine that is Xhaka. Two goals in two games. And, more to the point, the only goal scorer in our last two games.
During the first half we were a pleasure to watch. We moved the ball quickly with Partey at the center of everything. His passing was, as ever, quick and instinctive. Everything about the team looked easy. Except for scoring. In periods such as this we have to convert our chances. Today it was not just Jesus but Odegaard that failed to take their chances. Martinelli, who I suspect was not fully fit, had moments of brilliance. Some of his close control is breathtaking. But he also had a few chances today. But overall, we looked like a team that could win the league. The play was incisive and intelligent. This team has improved so much over the last 12 months it’s unrecognizable.
Unfortunately, in the second half we started to see elements of old Arsenal. This was reminiscent of last week against Leeds. Ironically, we were better than then but this time conceded a goal. It’s not like they peppered us with shots and had multiple chances. This was, I think, their first or second shot on goal. If I was to be critical – not that it’s in my sweet demeanor – both Party and Xhaka failed to pick up Armstrong as he came from deep. But it was a decent goal to be fair. By this time we had wandered into that Leeds-like situation where we could not retain possession. The smoothness of Partey was missing and we ceded control of the game. Odegaard was not impactful in either half and seemed to disappear in the second. Martinelli was not getting the ball and Jesus continued to get manhandled up front. That’s not to say we were as poor as last week in the that second half but it was unlike our first half performance today. We lacked cohesion. It was frustrating to watch.
Our defense, like last week was pretty solid. There was a period in the first half when they had about 6 or 7 consecutive corners. Each one, either Ramsdale, Gabriel or Tomi seemed to win that first header. The defense was barely tested – apart from the one time Saliba misplaced a pass. Gabriel was as solid and as focused as I’ve seen him. White, after setting up the first goal, was largely untested whereas Tomi provided his normal defensive cover. In the second half it seemed he tried to play a more Zinny role in possession – sliding into that midfield inside-left position.
The progression in Xhaka this season is remarkable. Aside from his second goal in two games, I thought he was our best player today. He finds himself in more advanced positions and, especially, as Partey faded, it was Xhaka who would drop to receive the ball to start any creative phases. His passing was crisp and his vision sharp. It’s a shame that Saka was barely involved in the second half – maybe because Odegaard disappeared. But we have to learn to take our chances. There were times – as much as Jesus is an infinite upgrade on the extinguished Cigarette – when he looked more like the Man City version. That forward who needed too many chances in order to convert one. His energy remains infectious and he elevates the quality of the entire team. However, it would be nice to see him return to scoring ways.
In the past we have wilted and withered against Southampton. Some of our more embarrassing defeats have occurred here. So, I suppose, as a glass half full person, we should be happy that we did not find a way to lose. It still felt that we were the only team capable of winning this game. And this is a long season and we can’t expect to win every game. But, against a team like this, we should have. We should have put it away in the first half.
It feels like we’re suffering from a lack of rotation. Too many of our key players have to play too many minutes. Arteta made the substitutions he needed to. Tierney added something when he came on but Vieira and Eddie were pretty ineffectual today. In particular Vieira never seemed to adjust to the pace of the match. To win games like this you need to be able to change the game from the bench and today we could not. Which also explains why so many of our keys players are not rotated. We just need greater squad depth. It’s all well and good Arteta saying they should be able to play 70 a season but that’s bullshit. But he has to say that. He needs a couple of more transfer windows.
How funny was it to see Theo come on as a sub for them? His man-bun seems as retarded as ever. As was his Oscar performance dive that was rightfully rewarded with a yellow card. Unlike the one Saka received in the first half when he was actually fouled. Theo could have played their man through but chose to take a dive; unfortunately this is his level. I’d always had a soft spot for him but he never really evolved as a football player or as a fashion icon.
We can take some solace from the results around us. That lot got shredded at home care of their great captain and Cech-like distributor of the ball. We should be slightly more weary of next weeks opposition after they stole a victory. It fees like this season the chances will be there for us to get that top four position. We just have to ensure that our key players stay fit. We can only pray that Ghana get eliminated in the group stages of the corrupt world cup. At least none of our players will be required to work there and build stadiums.
Today is not the end of the world, though it was underwhelming and pretty disappointing that we dropped two points. But given the stunning start to the season it seemed inevitable that we’d drop needless points somewhere. It’s typical it would be against a workmanlike team like Southampton. But it’s not down to them; this was on us. We lost our rhythm and balance. All the things we’d be so good at in the first half vaporized in the second half. It did not help that the referee was pretty useless. Letting some quite physical challenges go unpunished – including potential penalty appeals. But, it’s still down to this team. The one actual real shot we had came Tierney who set up Odegaard after the ball had gone out. And that came from a long ball out of defense. We found it much harder to construct anything once Southampton changed their shape and flooded the midfield. But that second half was not enjoyable to watch. Quite frustrating in truth with that fear we’d implode and not even leave with a point. I’ve not really felt that way. Well, not since last week against Leeds.
So that’s three games in a row where we’ve managed to only score one goal. One from Saka and two from Xhaka. Clearly we need to sign Kaka (if he’s still playing). Hopefully Jesus will rediscover his scoring touch and that both he and Martinelli will be rested on Thursday. Obviously, Saka will play the entire 90 minutes, pilot the plane there and back, wash everyone’s kit just before cutting every blade of grass at the Emirates. Because, I mean, why would we rest or protect him? He is indestructible – ok, I know I just jinxed the poor boy. So, please leave him at home as well – I’m sure we won’t. We have a few keys matches now to pad our points total. So let’s not waste the chances. At some juncture these other teams will get their act together and we need as many points padding as we can get. Watch that gap.
In the meantime, we remain – just – TOTL. Enjoy it for another week.
-LB7