Jordy Clasie scored his first goal for Southampton as a poor home performance saw Arsenal dumped out of the EFL Cup following a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates.
Arsenal went into the cup tie on the back of a 19-game unbeaten run in all competitions, but they never really got going and it was the manner of the performance rather than the result that was the most disappointing factor.
Although we performed very badly credit should be given to Southampton, who closed us down very well and did a number on us. Southampton boss Claude Puel played under Arsene Wenger's management at Monaco and had the last laugh as he sent his former employer crashing out of the cup.
The first half was particularly poor for the hosts with Arsenal barely even mustering a shot on goal apart from the odd few efforts blocked by the visitors' defence.
Southampton did better in front of goal and opened the scoring after 13 minutes. Sofiane Boufal saw his shot blocked before Dutchman Clasie thumped home the loose ball.
It got worse for Arsenal eight minutes before the break as Southampton doubled their advantage, with Boufal again heavily involved. The midfielder broke clear before cutting the ball back to Ryan Bertrand, whose low strike went beyond Emiliano Martinez and into the bottom corner of the net.
Arsenal's first-half misery continued as Mohamed Elneny was forced off injured shortly before half-time and, even with 45 minutes still to play, there didn't seem like there would be any way back.
The Gunners did, in fact, make a much better and lively start to the second half, but when the chances arrived Lucas Perez and Aaron Ramsey both shot straight at Fraser Forster in the Southampton goal.
At the other end, Southampton threatend to add to their lead, but Shane Long headed over before seeing his next effort parried by Martinez.
Substitute Granit Xhaka's long-range free-kick was well saved by Forster, while Perez and Francis Coquelin saw their efforts deflect wide.
Arsenal failed to make the most of the chances that did come their way and Southampton were also looking dangerous on the break, but Steve Davis and Long both shot off target.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came on for Arsenal and injected a bit more pace, but he really should have done better with his effort in the box that he ended up blazing over the bar. Fellow substitute Ainsley Maitland-Niles very nearly set up a goal for Arsenal when Kieran Gibbs got on the end of his cross, but the defender's header was cleared off the line by Maya Yoshida.
Arsenal were creating chances, but it was clear that it wasn't going to be our day. We just seemed to lack that extra hunger and spark to change the game. Although I would defend some of the criticism about Wenger's team selection by saying the starting XI was actually fairly strong, the fact we didn't at the very least have Alexis Sanchez and/or Mesut Ozil on the bench was very irritating and a big mistake.
Rob Holding saw his header deflect wide before Forster denied Alex Iwobi as Arsenal continued to try, but fail, to get back into the game. In fact, it very nearly got worse for Arsenal, but Martinez managed to get a fingertip to tip Josh Sims' shot wide of the goal. Martinez was called into action again soon after, this time denying Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
Arsenal tried in vain to even get a consolation goal as Gibbs blazed over the bar in stoppage time on what was a miserable night for the Gunners.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Southampton fan Mavis John was understandably delighted by her side's cup victory.
"Well done Saints!" said John. "Into the semi-finals for the first time in 30 years!
"With the stats and Southampton's inability at times to capitalise on their chances, I wasn't particularly hopeful. However, all credit to the lads for playing really well.
"Claude Puel continued the squad rotation he's employed over the season so far and it worked. Good to see goalscorers who aren't usually on the score sheet - and to see Josh Sims again after his debut on Sunday.
"Arsenal were under strength and not at their best but Saints still won a famous victory."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Although it is good to see some younger players given a run out that game highlighted, although everyone already knew this, just how important the likes of Ozil and Sanchez are.
They have the potential to change a game when you are under the cosh and I would have liked to see them come on at half-time to inject more belief into the side. Instead we are out of the EFL Cup for another season.
Although the EFL Cup is not a big priority it would still have been nice to win it and I am very disappointed at our exit. It will be crucial how we react to this. We simply can't let it derail our season. The unbeaten run is now over and it is up to Wenger and the players to make sure we don't let this spiral us out of control and instead we need to dust ourselves down and go win at West Ham!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
No comments:
Post a Comment