A wonder goal from Nathaniel Clyne proved decisive as in-form Southampton pulled off a shock 2-1 victory at Arsenal in a gripping Capital One Cup tie.
When Alexis Sanchez gave the Gunners the lead with a sublime free-kick after it looked like the hosts, who made 10 changes to the side that thumped Aston Villa 3-0, would coast to victory. The game was turned on its head before the break as a penalty from Dusan Tadic and Clyne's long-range effort ensured passage into the fourth round for Saints.
Although focus will be on the shock defeat for the hosts and how a first defeat this season could derail their 2014/15 campaign, with bitter rivals Tottenham next on the horizon, credit really should be given to Southampton.
After losing manager Mauricio Pochettino to Tottenham over the summer, along with several key players including Liverpool's Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert, many expected Saints to struggle massively this season.
But not only have they knocked Arsenal out of the league cup, but the shock result gave the south coast club a fifth consecutive win in all competitions. Since Ronald Koeman took over he has lost just one of his first seven competitive games in charge and deserves huge credit for how he has transformed a club seemingly lacking in confidence to a side currently second in the Premier League.
Debutant goalkeeper David Ospina, who joined the hosts from Nice over the summer, reacted quickly to deny Southampton an early goal. But it looked like it was actually going to be Arsenal's day when Sanchez curled a wonderful free-kick into the top corner for his fourth Gunners' goal.
The lead only lasted six minutes as Sadio Mane was seemingly tripped in the box by Tomas Rosicky and Tadic stepped up to score the resulting penalty.
Then came a moment of sheer brilliance from Clyne - a goal worthy of winning any game, unfortunately for us Gunners' fans - five minutes before the break. A Southampton corner was cleared before Clyne took a touch a smashed an unstoppable long-ranges strike beyond Ospina from over 30 yards.
Arsenal had a great chance to level matters before half-time when a finely weighted pass from Jack Wilshere found Lukas Podolski, but the German striker's effort was well blocked by Fraser Forster in the visitors' goal.
Arsene Wenger, who made 10 changes to the side who thumped Aston Villa 3-0 in the previous match, saw his side push for an equaliser in the second half but to no avail.
It was a truly gripping tie, for the neutrals anyway. For us Gunners' fans it was frustrating. Although the performance was fairly decent and we deserved more from the game, we just seemed to be lacking that extra something and it is gutting to see us exiting the competition in only the third round.
It was hugely positive to see Abou Diaby return to action and manage to play for over an hour and the team's general performance wasn't too bad but in knock-out football you need to be more clinical in front of goal and we were punished for not scoring enough.
It will be a huge test of character to see how Arsenal bounce back from this. Some will be expecting the Gunners' season to plummet and a string of defeats to follow. Although the result was hugely frustrating, all focus must now go on the next match, the big London derby at the Emirates against bitter rivals Tottenham.
A loss would see fans and media worry about how the season has derailed, while a win would see Arsenal bounce back in style and keep their unbeaten start to the league season intact. The next game has a lot riding on it and will be a hugely difficult test. But when you have just lost in the cup, this kind of match is just what the team needs. A big derby match against Spurs will get the passion flowing and the players will really be up for the battle.
IF we can hit top form we should prove too hot to handle for Spurs, but we must avoid complacency. It is a hard one to call but we are capable of a result and, if Mesut Ozil, can replicate the form he showed against Villa who knows what might happen.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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