Kevin Whitcher
On occasion in recent seasons, newly promoted teams have come to Arsenal and made life difficult. No such dilemmas on Saturday, as Southampton, with a philosophy of playing open football, were like lambs to the slaughter. Their lack of defensive resilience made it a ‘fill your boots’ kind of afternoon and the home side took full advantage.
I was interested to see Olivier Giroud dropped to the bench, which I thought was a little harsh after what was a pretty decent performance at Anfield, albeit without a goal. And on top of this, Gervinho, drafted into the team, played as the central striker, with Podolski wide. It meant that the attack was very fluid, often with no real focal point and the visitors had real trouble coping with it. At times, the lack of an orthodox centre forward meant a body in the box was lacking to finish off good approach work, but six goals is certainly mitigation enough for anyone that the system worked for this game. A four goal lead was established before Southampton knew what was happening.
Francis Coquelin came in for the injured Abou Diaby and played in a disciplined manner, although during the second half, the concentration levels understandably dropped. Whilst Arsenal were in the process of establishing their advantage for the first 40 minutes, the visitors simply couldn’t live with them. Perhaps, last season, with a 4-0 lead, some Gooners might have had cause to remember the Phil Dowd inspired farce at St James’ Park, but the feeling was that even if Southampton did get more than the odd consolation goal (and they came close), the Gunners would have upped their game. They could have been excused for preserving their energies in the second half with a Tuesday evening contest in Montpelier to look forward to.
Having said that, Szczesny’s handling for the Southampton goal was a concern. It’s the kind of error one can live with when Arsenal are sticking away half a dozen at the other end, but there is a growing feeling that the man who is thought of as the long term keeper is letting too many such errors creep into his game. It was a shame to see the run of clean sheets end in such a manner. You can have all the defensive organization and work rate in the world, but there is no accounting for individual errors like that. He would have to make a couple more real howlers before there is any chance of his place in the starting line-up being under threat, on the assumption the manager does not regard Vito Mannone as a genuine contender for the spot. Fears that a trick was missed by not signing experienced back-up will hopefully prove unfounded. Szczesny has shown he has the potential to be a class act, but perhaps he thinks he is better than he is at the moment.
Still, if he learns from it, he can be forgiven, and Saturday was a day for celebration with a weaker team being put to the sword as it should. The full backs both played their part in joining the attack, although it is refreshing to see that, as a rule, when one bombs on, his colleague on the other flank hangs back as insurance. This was not always the case.
There is definitely a feel good vibe at the club at present, and the hope is that it can continue. The side should be capable of a result in France tomorrow evening, when I think Giroud will return to the starting line-up and if the law of the ex does its usual thing, break his duck. Regardless, a decent result against Montpelier would set them up for the real test of a visit to Manchester City next weekend. It will be interesting to see how City approach the game, as the home side. I have a feeling Mancini might actually be fairly cautious and we may see a tight affair, but whatever happens, it will undoubtedly be the stiffest test the rejuvenated Arsenal will have faced so far.
The attack is getting better with every outing, and Podolski’s goal had people trying to remember the last time Arsenal scored directly from a free kick. The sun shone, everyone could relax and the team climbed the table. So far, so good.
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