Arsene Wenger chose to leave Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud on the bench thinking, I believe, of the trip to PSG on Tuesday and assuming that we would still beat Southampton. That complacency was evident on the pitch as well and we nearly paid for it but were saved by the award of an injury time penalty that Cazorla scored to give us the points.
We were left cursing our luck when Southampton took a first half lead in this game, because not only was the award of the free kick against Nacho Monreal a very soft one, just like on the opening day defeat to Liverpool, but Petr Cech had done really well to tip it onto the bar. The ball bounced back off the keeper’s back and into the net though and even though the goal was lucky we had been asking for trouble after an awful and sluggish start.
The visitors were easily on top until then but Arsenal did then start to wake up and were back level before too long, with Koscielny producing a fantastic overhead kick after half an hour. The Gunners then looked the most likely, with Cazorla our main creative force.
The second half saw us dominate the game and create plenty of opportunities but the final ball or finish was always missing or the Saints defenders got a lst ditch block in. They also had a few chances of their own to win the game on the break, with Shane Long putting the best wide.
Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and then Iwobi all came on and tried to get the win but when Cazorla’s shot was blocked and Giroud slipped when set to head home it seemed as though it would be another disappointing day and our worst start to a Premier League season for five years.
But an arguable spot kick saved us and perhaps our bad luck on the goal was evened up. Hey we have enough bad luck so will take this win but Arsenal must get better if we are going to challenge this season.
Bob.