It was back at the start of December and Arsenal seemed to be heading for another disappointing draw at the Emirates stadium. You could say that our opponents that day were unlucky, as Southampton had to play the last 10 minutes with 10 men after picking up an injury having used all their subs. But we should have had a penalty for handball seconds before Alexis grabbed the last minute winner.
And the Saints have lost all of their games since then, including a really unlucky home defeat to Man United who they dominated like we did but found David De Gea in top form. They also went out of the Capital One cup to League One’s Sheffield United this week and must be feeling pretty low as they have slipped from third place in the Premier League to fifth and look like sliding further unless Ronald Koeman can turn things around pretty quickly.
They host Everton today though and then Chelsea and Arsenal after christmas, so it is not looking good for the Saints. But instead of feeling sorry for them, Arsenal must exploit their troubles and go back with a transfer bid for their star midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin when the January transfer window opens.
A few games ago, the south coast club had a much better chance of holding on to the Frenchman as they had a realistic chance of a trophy and place in the EPL table high enough to see them in Europe next season. But Schneiderlin will now see that as highly unlikely and that will only increase his desire to move on.
He will not be cheap and Arsene Wenger may have to pay more than he wants, but the hard working and talented 25-year old is the perfect player to complete and strengthen the Gunners in that crucial central midfield area