MATCH DAY BLOG - SOUTHAMPTON
Arsenal vs Southampton hasn’t always been the best of times, has it?
We’ve lost 2 and drawn 3 of the last 7. Since October 2005, we’ve only had back-to-back wins *twice*. We haven’t beaten them in our last three attempts.
This is not a fun fixture if you believe in the concept of a ‘bogey team.’
I don’t know what it is about today’s game, but I’m feeling pretty excited about the potential for a battering. I like Southampton as a club—they play good football, they’re well run, and they have a decent history in the Premier League. But this weekend, I really want to see some pain inflicted. We need to dish out a good old-fashioned walloping, and I’d love to see at least two goals from targeted corners at the six-yard box.
Unfortunately for Southampton, they chose to hire a manager who wants to play football like the beautiful clubs. The trouble with that philosophy is it’s usually great on the way up, but not so good when you land in the Premier League promised land. Moving the ball through the back is a bit easier in the Championship. Pressing isn’t as organised, the margins for error are greater, and the quality of players capitalising on mistakes is far lower. One major error against Arsenal’s press tomorrow, and it could be curtains.
Playing ‘sexy football’ is also a confidence game, even for the major clubs. If you try playing out from the back three or four times in the first 20 minutes and lose it every time, players lose their heads. We’ve seen that happen to Liverpool against City in their peak years. So imagine if you’re Southampton, with players who already know they’re not quite at the level. What do you fall back on when all the things that were your strengths the previous year are now targeted weaknesses?
It must be tough.
What usually happens is the manager who brought the team up playing beautiful football lasts until Christmas, then the board’s firing squad brings in a manager to batten down the hatches. But the squad hasn’t been built for deep-block merchants, and the next plan fails.
So, what I’m saying is, it’ll be difficult for Southampton to play their game and escape with anything other than the hope of respectability. They’ve managed to earn one point and accrued five losses outside of that. Ramsdale has already conceded 12 goals. They’ve had a pretty easy run, really. A 10-man Newcastle, United, and a collection of bottom-half sides.
We are a different beast—the best team in the league this season, hitting some vicious form. Arsenal should issue a walloping of magnitude tomorrow. If we score early, I’m almost certain of it.
My predicted line-up:
Raya
White - Saliba - Gabriel - Calafiori
Declan
Trossard - Merino
Saka - Kai - Martinelli
Maybe we’ll see Tomi on the bench? I’m not sure. Either way, it’s a strong starting XI. The combo of Merino and Declan is what I’m really looking forward to seeing—two physical, duel-winning monsters with differing skill sets. That should give us legs, brawn, intelligence, and finally solve the troublesome left-sided No. 8 problem we’ve been having. Once we get up to speed with Merino in the side, we’re going to be absolutely formidable.
If we take a strong lead, it would be great to see some of our key players subbed off early. Ethan, MLS, and Raheem could do with some minutes, and it’s always nice to give a break to those who’ll be on international duty next week.
Ok, that’s all I’ve got, my dearest internet best friends…