Arsenal gain advantage as Hasenhüttl gives debut to 40 year-old ex-Chelsea keeper

Mikel Arteta will be looking to bounce back quickly from Arsenal’s embarrassing defeat to Everton, and will welcome Southampton to the Emirates tomorrow.

The Saints are without a win in their last 4 games, but their draw with Brighton in their last match was thanks to a 98th minute equaliser from the Seagulls, which angered Manager Ralph Hasenhüttl, as it seems the goalkeeper Alex McCarthy was playing on with an injured hamstring without informing his coach.

McCarthy will now be out for a few weeks, and with reserve Fraser Forster also injured, Hasenhuttl has confirmed that 40-year-old ex-Chelsea keeper Willy Caballero will make his debut for the club at the Emirates after just arriving on a short-term contract to solve their goalkeeping crisis.

“Alex is out for three to four weeks,” Hasenhuttl told Football365. “Fraser tried this week but it’s a little bit too early for him. That’s the reason we signed Willy and we’re happy to have him here.

“We’ve worked with him on some information, video clips, so he knows how he has to play with the ball and against the ball. It’s important for a goalkeeper.

“He’s a smart guy, he is fit and coming in with a willingness to help us and this is what we need now.”

“We were looking at a few options and he was the best for us.

“He’s experienced, he’s good on the ball, he knows out to play out from behind, how to stay high and defend behind a high defensive line in some moments.

“He is a good package for us and hopefully he is on the level on the weekend that we need against Arsenal.

“He is also a goalkeeper who makes some saves. We will try for them not to have many chances and hopefully it will be a good performance.”

Southampton also have other problems with Oriol Romeu and Mohamed Salisu suspended for this game, while Che Adams is doubtful and Stuart Armstrong is still injured.

Let’s hope Arsenal can take advantage and come away with a much-needed win…

Just Arsenal Show – Dan Smith discusses if Superhero Auba has lost his powers?

Tags Hasenhüttl Southampton

16 Comments

  1. For us to loose this game, would be a disgrace. We should not gloat over their strong players abscens
    , but focus on players coming in, as they want the position left vacant.

  2. That’s how we gloated over Everton and yet went to Goodison Park and lost with a whimper.
    Honestly I don’t know what to think and say of Arsenal anymore.
    After the international break, I had confidently predicted a 10-point haul from our next 5 games – a loss against Liverpool, a draw against United, and wins against Newcastle, Everton and Southampton. But we have only 3 miserable points to show after 4 of those games.
    The losses are particularly painful, not just for the results, but for the performances.
    When we were having the results without the performances, at least there was hope that good results would build confidence and produce the performances. Now it’s the classic case of one step forward and two back.
    What is even more infuriating is that for the first time in a while, we’ve been playing with a substantially healthy squad of players who play only once a week. So what’s the issue?
    For me it all boils down to the manager. We can buy all the players in the world. If the coach is unable to build them into a team that plays to its utmost potentials, it would all amount to a waste of money.
    After 15 games in the league Arsenal have scored less goals than they have conceded. I’d love the records people to tell us when last this happened!

    1. “That’s how we gloated over Everton and yet went to Goodison Park and lost with a whimper”. I think the point your missing is Everton was the team we should beat considering the form of the two clubs, and the supposed progression we had made, but no, we was Cr*p, predictable and uninterested. After that game I would not put a penny on us to beat any team home or away. I will always hope for the best, but I’ve lost all confidence that we can beat anyone……

  3. Good news. Thousands of supporters will make our attackers work harder than they did in away games, so our defense will be safer and we’d most likely win

  4. We shouldn’t have to rely on opponent’s missing players. We should have the right tactics and lineup to win

    1. This is the mind set every fan should have and also our manager ,well said 👏
      I’ve predicted an easy win but I also said the same for the Everton match so…

      1. I have given up making predictions when it comes to this manager and this team. The last 2 years have taught me not to expect a style of play or intensity.

        The one thing that players should have every game is intensity. Form comes and goes, but intensity is mental, and that aspect should be present in every match.

        That’s the job of the manager, to make sure the players are up for it every game. Can’t blame ownership, transfer funds, or any other excuse.

    2. Bad news. Aubameyang missed the training session and won’t be available tomorrow

      Whereas Lacazette’s mind didn’t seem to be in our last game. Soton’s CBs will eat Martinelli alive and Nketiah doesn’t want to sign, so we might give Balogun another trial in EPL

      1. How the Fck will Southamptons CBS eat Martinelli alive?
        I really don’t get your way of thinking mate !
        Even if Martinelli starts which going by past history maybe he won’t ,if he does his pressing which you talk about is unheard of ,this match comes down to how our manager reacts from our 2 dismal defeats .
        Nothing but a win will suffice I’m afraid ,if that does not happen he as to go .
        You can paint it up as much as you want GAI but league position is the be all .

        1. Martinelli was bullied by the CBs when he started as a CF. Balogun too, but he’s been honing his skills with the U-23 team

          We slipped a little from the sixth position, but a win at home will fix it

          1. Mate as much as I respect your defending of Arteta ,and I always respect any Arsenals fan opinions even though it’s not reciprocated back towards the opposites -IE getting called dismal Dan and negative Dan .
            I see no way back for Arteta,he’s lost the majority of the fan base and when that happens that’s it .
            Me personally I’ve judged the last 3 managers the same way ,if certain fans don’t like it ,IDGAF TBF but atleast I’m fair in my judgment .
            Like I said I respect your defending of him but you have draw the line at some point .

      2. You said Auba was weak, gai… plus most on here have been crying out for Laca to play, so at least they’ll have their wish!

  5. Not sure how this might be good news for us with MA being overthinking scoring 1 goal and sleeping in the defence.

    I have my doubts with every game we play, sorry fans but we went back to the “Lack of consistency” circle again.

    Is it the right time to bring Henry?

  6. I think Nkethia will eventually sign at anytime on or the next January window to extend his deal at the club. This is bcs Arteta is looking to be hell bebt to keep him at Arsenal come what maybe.

    On the Arsenal EPL home match against Sotoo’n tomorrow, I am nursing a strong believe in myself that is telling me that Arsenal will bounce back to the winning ways to beat Sotoo’n after the 2 consecutive EPL games they suffered.

    But I think the match will not be a walk over kind of a match for The Gunners to win it. Therefore, the Gunners who will be selected for the match should mentally, physically, technically, and tactically fully prepared themselves to overcome Sotoo’n resistant in the game so as to beat them and beat them absolutely. Above all things, let the Gunners eschew profigacy in front of the Saints goalmouth to not miss their goals scoring chances but convert them to win the match.

  7. I agree to the notion that Arsenal must play and win matches based on our own strengths rather on the opposition weaknesses or some key players missing. That said, even Everton was low on form and yet they beat us. Willy is an experienced and good goalkeeper so we cannot underestimate him and the Southampton team. We have to play positive football and go for a win. The intensity and pressing must be high and consistent. As for Nketiah, I also get the feeling he will sign a new contract with us and if he improves on his finishing it will be good.

  8. I’m not surprised about the writer of this article because he show up the exactly arsenal mentality, what if there strongest players are available? Does that mean arsenal are not capable of winning Southampton at Emirates stadium or what? Take it or live it arsenal are a team in transition and don’t expect it over night it’s takes a long way so be patient up GUNNERS

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