A clean sheet, a good performance and a return to the top four means a job well done for Emery and his players as they dispatched a weak Southampton side in the Emirates sunshine.
Emery sprung a few changes to his starting XI but clearly in good nick, those that started got the ball rolling early with a goal after six minutes. An action packed start spearheaded by the hungry looking Alex Lacazette upfront, showed as the Gunners were all over Southampton from the get go and after a stray volley at goal deflected in off the Frenchman, Arsenal were one up. A fast start we've so desperately craved numerous times this season finally came to fruition. Henrikh Mkhitaryan who looked as near to his best as he ever has in an Arsenal shirt, fired in a second only a few minutes later as Arsenal pressed home their superiority early. The first half played out much in the same fashion with chances, sniffs and good build up throughout Arsenal's play. Bernd Leno was called into action a couple of times to save his team mates from a few hairy moments at the back but he was determined to not be beaten.
The second half came and went quite quickly in all honesty. There were chances again, and an injury to right back Lichtsteiner which saw Koscielny come on and Mustafi move to full back. Odd for the German but he didn't look too out of place as he wasn't really tested going back towards his own goal. The Saints had a good spell after the half time break but didn't carry it on for long as the Gunners made a couple changes to freshen up midfield and attack. Although there were no more goals, it was a very comfortable afternoon in London for Emery and his men who'll be focusing on Bournemouth on Wednesday now. Three valuable points against Southampton is nothing if they cannot carry momentum over into the next one.
Player Ratings and Talking Points
Unai Emery: 7.5
One could question the personnel who started the game but the shape was spot on. A back four, two in the midfield engine room and three in behind one forward...all good for Arsenal's calm and patient build up. In wide areas, Mkhitaryan and Iwobi justified their selections as they both carried the ball well at times. It would have been great to see Ozil in from the start again instead of Ramsey. That is the only blemish on the starting XI, as the German did nothing wrong in his return Thursday night to warrant being dropped again for this one. Ramsey didn't have a great game and although Xhaka created a lot from deep, our attackers all would have benefited from Ozil in the team.
Emery also had the chance to introduce Denis Suarez for a stint in the second half but opted against it. To settle, the player needs a chance; two nil up at home to Southampton is surely the best chance no? Aubameyang and Ozil both made it onto the pitch in the second half and were involved in a few opportunities but Emery owes his goalie a huge debt as his defence, once again, looked shaky. There will come a time when someone questions the defensive work Emery, Bould and co do as whatever it is, is not good enough. Beyond that, the Head Coach again expressed his passion and commitment to the cause throughout the game and ultimately set his team up to get the job done. Nothing fancy, just a routine day at the office.
Bernd Leno: 8.5
Stephan Lichtsteiner: 6.5
Shkodran Mustafi: 7
Sokratis: 7.5
Sead Kolasinac: 8
Granit Xhaka: 8.5
Lucas Torreira: 7.5
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 8.5
Aaron Ramsey: 7
Alex Iwobi: 7.5
Alex Lacazette: 8
Subs
Laurent Koscielny: 6
Mesut Ozil: 6
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 6
A Distribution Masterclass from Granit Xhaka
The Swiss midfielder has had his critics, and will continue to do so, but today his execution of passing and distribution in the deep lying playmaker role was outstanding. Alongside the dogged and energetic Lucas Torreira providing steel and great anticipation, Granit Xhaka was able to do what he does best. His distribution, certainly in the first half was fantastic. He dictated play with his left boot and ensured the Gunners were playing to his tune. It was exquisite to watch at times as he fed ball after ball both wide and forward to his mobile attacking team mates. He needs movement and players in space to control a game and today he had both in abundance. Lacazette's unselfish running means there's always a long ball forward anyway but Xhaka's switching of play, accuracy in doing so, and pass positioning were all pin point. The willing Kolasinac bombing down the left flank meant that Xhaka's distribution often had an option on this side whilst Mhkitaryan provided his option to the right. The best of Granit Xhaka for a long time. Impressive stuff and finding form just at the right time.
Leno's Wanted The Clean Sheet
Alongside his excellent football skills that allow his team to keep football flowing, Leno possesses a fantastic set of reactions and save capacity. He may still come under question in the air and occasionally with longer range shots but his instinctive close-in reactions and saving ability is second to none. He was desperate for a clean sheet today and got exactly what he deserved as he fought hard, saved well and kept his team from a blunder to two. He was excellent and much like Xhaka and Mhkitaryan, his form is coming good at the right time. Foreign players, especially goalkeepers, usually need time to settle and having nailed down the starting spot, Leno is really kicking on and beginning to impress.
Onto Bournemouth in three days time.
@craigbennett10
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