Sublime Saka continues to inspire Gunners’ revival
SOUTHAMPTON 1 ARSENAL 3
IN this most strange of seasons, Arsenal are beginning to provide one of the most unexpected of storylines. Only a few weeks ago they were in despair, seemingly sliding towards a relegation battle and the premature end of Mikel Arteta’s reign.
Now, after this battling win in the rain, they are flying up the Premier League table with a run of five victories from their last six games.
As has been the case ever since their resurgence started on St Stephen’s Day, Bukayo Saka was at the heart of their best work.
The 19-year-old continues to lead this team, scoring their second here and consistently dragging Arsenal forward against a Southampton side that had no answer to his invention.
These two teams are not so far apart, really, which is credit to the fine work that Ralph Hasenhuttl has done. The Saints had an early lead here through a superb finish by Stuart Armstrong but were eventually undone by Nicolas Pepe, Saka and Alexandre Lacazette.
The contribution of Pepe will be particularly pleasing for Arteta, who needs to see more from his winger.
If Pepe can start to contribute in the same manner as Saka has been, Arsenal could be some force by the spring. Lacazette, meanwhile, has come alive with the injection of youth around him. His goal, set up by Saka, took his tally to 10 for the season.
Having played out a relatively dull cup tie here on Saturday, there was a heightened intensity from the first minute. The league table added to the sense that this was a match of genuine significance for both sides.
Arsenal were still without captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang due to personal reasons. After replacement Pepe missed an early chance, the home side promptly went up the other end and took the lead.
James Ward-Prowse curled a low corner into the path of Armstrong, who fired the ball into the top corner.
Arsenal’s response was equally devastating. Granit Xhaka sliced the home defence apart, feeding Pepe whose finish was precise.
Hasenhuttl’s side pushed forward after the break, pinning Arsenal back for long spells, but they struggled to create any clear opportunities.
At the other end, the spaces were opening up. Cedric Soares soon played a glorious switch to Saka, who did what he always does by finding the right pass at the right time. Lacazette was charging in at the back post to tap in the third. (© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2021)