Arsenal Away Lost 3 – 1
A promising start for Saints at Arsenal as it took nearly two minutes for the Gunners to progress into Southampton territory – unfortunatley it was over five minutes later that the ball got back over the half way line, and that set the pattern for the opening period. However this was a different team to the one that had capitulated at Bournemouth, with a target man (Stewart) and extra muscle (Aribo), plus Manning in what was often a five man defence. I thought we might go down this route after Stephens’ potty mouth has caused a long ban; no-one can quite describe what he is trying to achieve, but the manager likes the assurance of an extra defender. Some great blocking, good tackling and three cautions protected the goal so well for the opening 45 that for a long time the only shot on target was at the other end, then just before the interval Ramsdale was seriously tested but saved well. We had Archer on for the injured Stewart after 27 minutes – no surprise there, but it was a huge shock when the sub gave his side a 55th minute lead after Fernandes dispossessed Sterling and passed accurately, but Archer had a lot to do to turn a promising position into a well taken goal. It would be stretching things to breaking point to suggest that Saints deserved the lead but Fernandes had earlier managed to touch Dibling’s effort onto the roof of the net, possibly via the back of the bar. Anyway, we only enjoyed parity for three minutes as poor play out from the back by Downes lost possession and Havertz made the most of the opportunity. Arsenal hadn’t even had chance to bring forward their on-the-hour substitutions so Merino, Trossard and Martinelli arrived on schedule and it was Martinelli who gave his side the lead soon after, with Merino involved in lengthy VAR deliberations over the goal. What we know is that Martinelli converted Saka’s deep cross, probably onside but with his marker, Sugawara, suckered into thinking that he wasn’t; what we don’t really know is whether Merino was offside, and, if so, was he interfering with play by distracting our back line? We responded with Armstrong and (good heavens!) Onuacho off our bench and Tall Paul looked far from the worst option we’ve tried this season – Brereton-Díaz and Cornet are contesting that one. What’s more, Saints still caused distress for the home team with a Dibling shot catching the edge of the post via a deflection, and then the ball ended up hitting the bar from the resulting corner, although VAR might have been able to find a handball to keep us in our place. With time running out, Arsenal broke and Aribo did well to break up the attack, but Sugawara then sent the ball directly to Saka for number three. The full back was promptly substituted – Manager Martin no more Mr. Nice Guy, although there may have been an injury involved.
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from
30. Aaron Ramsdale, earning an “England’s Number One” chant from some Arsenal fans (probably those who don’t like Reya).
33. Tyler Dibling, although not so much was seen of him in the first half.
35. Jan Bednarek. He did most of the good tackling and blocking.
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