We certainly made hard work of that one. Kos has a goal for the scrapbook, not as significant as the tying goal in the FA Cup final against Hull, but one that will linger long in our memories. Very classy. Santi slotted home the winner from the third PK we've been awarded this season; we got two in 38 games last season. A fortunate three points. It could very easily have gone the other way.
The Ox looks lost out there. If Wenger has any sense, this is the last time he should start until he's proved himself as a substitute. The occasional scintillating run with no end product is small recompense for his inattention to defensive duties and his failure to see the pass that's on. Alexis and Walcott have nailed down the wing positions, and when one of them can't play, Iwobi or Ramsey should come in. Hell, I'd play Gibbs at wing before AOC now. (Actually, that has worked before.)
I expect Xhaka and Elneny got a break because of internationals and PSG. Coquelin did his job, but he just isn't a threat on offense. Cazorla is back to prime form and compensates in that department. And it's nice to have a penalty taker on the pitch. I wonder if Perez takes them.
The defense played pretty well, I thought. There were some nerves for the new man, but Mustafi looks like a good partner for Kos, one that Per may not be able to displace when he returns to fitness. Poor Petr Cech--he was nowise at fault for the own-goal. It was a fantastic free kick from Tadic, and he actually kept it out before the fortuitous rebound. The problem was our being second to the ball way too often. They had it in prime shooting position in two or three seconds, leading to Monreal's desperation missed slide tackle and the free kick. Credit to Southampton for enterprise.
I don't know what to think of Perez. I missed most of the game (it's my policy this season to watch only when it's convenient for my wife), so don't know, outside of the header towards Koscielny for his bicycle kick, what else he contributed. Giroud managed to be in position to draw the silly foul in the box that set up the winner.
I mixed bag in the other games I saw or followed:
In Serie A, Juve and Roma won, and Fiorentina was rained out.
The US won its first round qualifying group with a 4-0 thumping of Trinidad and Tobago.
DC United improbably got a point from the Red Bulls at their place after being thoroughly outplayed for 87 minutes and then getting one in the 88th and another in stoppage time, in hardworking but sloppy fashion. Hamid was spectacular--he may be one of the best shot stoppers in the world.
The Manchester Derby was won by the Guardiolas over the Mourinhos. There may have been other people involved, but who cares about them?
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