It is quite an incredible fact that in 22 games between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates, the Saints have never left with the 3 points. We have had 15 wins and 7 draws, so we have gained 52 points and they have gained only 7.
If you look at games played home and away, Arsenal have still only lost one of our last 11, which means that we really should be hot favourites to win this game, wouldn’t you think?
Then if you look at our last 27 home games played at 3pm on Saturday, we are unbeaten in all of them.
Auba not playing against Saints? Arteta asked if he is going to be sold….https://t.co/Dfo3PEdE6v via @JustArsenal
— JustArsenalVids (@JustArsenalVids) December 10, 2021
So are we getting worried yet? Arsenal under Arteta has had some very long-standing records broken in his short time at the club, so who can ever really be certain of a win any more, although those figures suggest that we are their voodoo team.
Even though in Arsenal fans’ eyes, we are not in a good place, but the fact is that we have only lost one home game all season (against Chelsea) and the visitors have only had one win on the road (at Watford).
We are also 9 places above them in the League table, and to cap it off, the Saints have conceded 9 goals in their last 4 games (same as Arsenal, but I won’t mention that).
So, looking at past and present history and form, this should be an easy win for Arsenal.
If only football was played on paper…..
WATCH Arteta’s pre-match conference…
We’ve struggled more in attack since odegaard came back into the team. I think we should be playing the 442 system as that seemed to be delivering better performances. I’d start laca and martinelli up front today
Odegaard should be seen as a competitor for the wide midfield positions with saka and ESR in that system imo; he slows us down too much when played through the centre.
Agree about Odegard, he slows down attacks and is too predictable on the ball. This allows opposition players to close him down fast and disrupt our attacks. That said, Everton were in a very poor form before they played us, United were having a bad run before they played us, yet both won against us. We have to make sure the same is not repeated against Southampton, no team can be taken lightly in the PL. Southampton held City at City, if I am not mistaken, so they are no pushovers.
Odegaard is good when he gets into dangerous positions – good passer and has a very good shot – he’s just not great in the build up. Laca’s a far worse passer but is more decisive and gets us moving, which is what a playmaker should do (although he’s also been poor recently as well)
A front three of Saka, Eddie and Martinelli would be my choice today.
If only football is played on paper…I love that
Why thankyou Clive! (blushes)
If it were played “on paper”, many players would never get past page three(the Sun!!) and then they would stop and stare.
Rather like Xhaka does in every game playing on grass, “stopping” after he has fouled someone and “staring” at the ref when he is red carded.
Why this dismal oaf is STILL at our club defies all rational explanation!!
Hey, who mentioned Xhaka!!!!!
(Oh, you did)
The 442 has mostly worked with Auba and Laca. Defenders are confused who to pin down. With 442 we always dominate possession with many more shots on goal