The team selection showed that Wenger did not take the Saints seriously. The early going showed that the visitors were the more dangerous team, and it was no surprise that they scored first. Mustafi was the most culpable, allowing Shane Long to nip in front of him to poke one past a helpless Cech, who let Shkodran know exactly what he thought of his lazy play. Meanwhile, the Gunners' ponderous buildups resulted in no shots at all until a nifty move put the ball in front of Aubamayang, who smuggled it past the keeper to equalize at the half hour mark. At 38', Welbeck put us ahead with some sublime control, and a hard shot that got a big deflection to take it past the keeper.
OK, it's halftime. I don't like what I'm seeing, particularly from Iwobi and Nelson. But with the way we're defending, we will probably need another to close this out.
Yeah, as I predicted, Arsenal gave the Saints several chances with stupid fouls and poor defending and eventually they cashed in. It has to be said that McCarthy is having a fantastic game, making several great saves to keep his team in it. Iwobi made our go-ahead goal with wonderful control and an excellent left footed cross that Welbeck headed perfectly past McCarthy. (This was redemption for Danny, who'd missed a sitter minutes before.) The game had been chippy and sloppy all through, but it got totally out of hand after Jack tore a chunk out of Stephens's shirt, who objected so violently that the referee gave him a red card. In the aftermath, Elneny managed to get himself thrown out too, which is too bad because he had a good game and is an important player for us.
Random notes:
I apologize for my criticism of Iwobi. He came good and was solid for us in the end.
Jack embarrassed himself and was no improvement over a tired Reiss Nelson, who he was subbed in for. Dumb move, Arsene. At this rate, Wilshere may have trouble finding a club who'll take him for free. If I were on Arsenal's board, I'd consider reducing the offer on the table. If I were Jack, I'd sign that contract as soon as I was out of the shower--maybe before I went in. He was just plain awful. Southgate would be crazy to give him a roster spot in Russia.
Welbeck went a long way towards putting himself in our first team rotation, with an assist and two goals, and a spirited defensive effort. MOTM.
Mustafi is a puzzle. He was crap today. Chambers looked like the better center back, and when that happens, Mustafi is really poor. (Calum did make some fine passes.)
Both keepers get a gold star. Too many free shots were given up by the two sides, but they stopped the ones they could.
Hector was taken off in the second half. I'm not sure what that was about; he's probably carrying a problem. He did look off the pace today.
Kolasinac is not the player he looked to be early in the season. He needs to round into form if he wants to remain part of Arsenal's plans.
We definitely missed Ozil and Ramsey.
Anyway, three points and a much-needed confidence boost for Danny, as well as a continuation of Auba's flying start for us.
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