On paper, the Southampton game looked like it would be one of those tightly contested fixtures. In the first 20 minutes, it seemed to be one, as the Saints kept probing and prodding in search of an elusive goal.
Against the run of play and thanks to sheer industry starting from Ramsdale at the back (who was also spectacular throughout the game), a perfect interplay between Odegaard and Tomiyasu before getting the ball to Saka who put in the perfect ball for Lacababy got us the first goal in the 21st minute.
After the goal, it was a one-man show as the boys in red bossed every aspect of the game and seven minutes after the first goal we had a second goal after Tierney tried with many attempts to get the ball out of his feet on the left side of the box and eventually was able to dink in the perfect header that was sublimely met by Odegaard to put in our second of the day and make it 3 goals in 3 games for our in-form Norwegian maestro.
The second half wasn't very much different from the first as we continuously held a tight grip on the game and in no time we had the third goal from a corner. The third goal came from Gabriel who moments earlier had a goal correctly disallowed for offside. The brazillian defender towered over the Southampton defence to head in the third goal for Arsenal. If there was any hope for a resurgence by the Southampton side, the third goal seemed to squash all of that.
Although, some people are of the opinion that better teams would have punished us in the first twenty minutes of the game and probably changed the outlook of the match. In my opinion, I think we were by far the better side in the 90 minutes of the game and could have easily scored 5 or 6 goals as we hit the upright twice, once by Martinelli then again by Saka and not to forget the great save Tomiyasu forced the Southampton goalie to make.
Amazingly, we easily dispatched Southampton amidst the absence of our captain Aubameyang who once again got on the wrong side of the law with the Manager for breaching team rules. Hopefully, we would see him tomorrow as we take on the Hammers.
Next Stop, West Ham United
It's the season of festivity, and with it comes a lot of English Premier League football. On Wednesday we play host to West Ham in an all-London Derby, and most importantly our opportunity to prove to doubters that we are indeed in contention not only for Europe but for the top four. A win against the hammers would see us Leapfrog them and move into the fourth position so long as Manchester United also do not win or draw.
West Ham United have proven themselves to be a good side in recent times but as always, we hope to be their undoing as we have been many times in the past. Hopefully, we would have Aubameyang back and no Covid cases in the team that would cause any unnecessary omission from the team.
We sincerely hope that the enthusiasm with which we played Southampton is still burning hot in our loins and would help us gain victory over West Ham tomorrow night. Until we meet again, Come On You Gooners!!!
