“At Arsenal, we don’t buy superstars, we make them.” -Arsene Wenger
What a game for the Gunners this past Saturday morning! The team showed resolve and delivered some brilliant goals, and of course, earned the coveted 3 points to stay one point off top of the league Liverpool. It was a nervy first 60 minutes but Arsenal eventually settled and secured the win in the 88th minute. Arsenal 3 Southampton 1.
Arsenal were in the home red and white kits and Southampton wore their away highlighter jerseys and navy shorts.
The first half yielded little action and left it 0-0 at the break. 15 minutes passed in the second half when Southampton opened the scoring with a Cameron Archer strike from a brilliant pass over the top on a counter attack. Archer received the ball and Saliba met him near the edge of the left side of the box. The Striker powered towards the center of the box, set up his strong right foot, and with a powerful swing of the leg rolled the shot around Saliba’s outstretched leg and David Raya’s diving effort into the bottom right corner. Arsenal will want to do better in defending this next time, but Cameron Archers belief and individual effort was not going to be stopped. The Emirates Stadium fell silent as the winless Southampton players celebrated their Strikers first career goal for the club. 1-0 SOU 55th
But the silence of the home crowd evaporated just moments later.
Kai Havertz, after receiving a smooth pass from Saka, used his favored left foot and curled in a strike from the top of the 18 yard box off the left post and into the net. The Emirates began to rock again! 1-1 58th
Arteta brought on Trossard, Martinelli, and newcomer Mikel Merino at the 60th minute and from this point forward, the game was dominated by Arsenal.
Saka added a second assist on delicate cross into Martinelli who timed his run perfectly into the left side of the box and tapped the shot first touch passed the keeper and into the bottom left corner. The pass was World Class. 2-1 ARS 68th
In fact, this was Saka’s best game of the season by far. He assisted on the first two goals and took several shots throughout the game that had a chance. It just seemed like all that was missing was him scoring a goal himself. Wouldn’t you know? That’s is exactly what happened.
The Arsenal star charged into the box and struck the ball with his left foot powerfully passed the keeper after the ball bounced heavily off the Southampton defenders shin directly into his path. 3-1 ARS 88th
Saka is a prime example of what the Arsenal former Manager’s quote above is referencing. The 23 year old Englishman has been with the club since he was 7 when he joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy. He has never played for another team. He signed his first professional contract at 17 and is now the most valuable player on this talented Arsenal squad. Superstar in the making.
David Raya needs to keep burying his lavender for luck because he did have a lucky bounce or two go his way in the second half. Had those bounces gone into the net, this game could’ve been a far different result.
Kai Havertz now has 7 goals in his last 7 home games. “60 million down the drain? Kai Havertz scores again!” Sing it!
It was a fun game to watch. The Japanese Tomiyasu made his first appearance of the season after beginning the season injured.
Still a lot left to be desired with what I’m seeing from Raheem Sterling. Though, there is still plenty of time for the former Champions League and Premier League winner to find his comfort zone in this high flying squad.
That’s all for now.
Arsenal will be back in action October 19th at 10:30AM as they travel to Bournemouth.
Until then, COYG!
Arsenal Lineup vs Southampton
- GK David Raya
- RB Thomas Partey
- CB William Saliba
- CB Gabriel
- LB Riccardo Calafiori
- CDM Jorginho
- CM Declan Rice
- CM Kai Havertz- Goal! 58th assist Saka
- RW Bukayo Saka Goal! 88th
- ST Gabriel Jesus (Jay-Zeus)
- LW Raheem Sterling
Subs Involved
- ST Leondro Trossard (Jesus) 60th
- CDM Mikel Merino (Jorginho) 60th
- LW Gabriel Martinelli (Sterling) 60th Goal! 68th assist Saka
- RB Tomiyasu (Partey) 84th
- LB Jakub Kivior (Calafiori) 90th
Find the Humor and keep on Movin’
Whit W.