Last Gasp Santi Oozes Class
Sep 10th, 2016 by 'holic
Arsene Wenger certainly utilised his new look squad for the visit of Southampton. Both August signings,Β Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez, were handed debuts. There was a recall for Francis Coquelin alongside Santi Cazorla, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with Theo Walcott were preferred on the flanks. A tremendously strong looking bench includeded Alexis, Olivier Giroud, and Granit Xhaka as Arsene afforded a breather to some of those involved in international action during the break.
The opening phase of play hinted at the more open contest we had hoped for after last season’s borefest. The Saints were not slow to spring bodies in support on the break. The first big chance arrived in the ninth minute when Oxlade-Chamberlain’s shot was deflected into the path of Mesut Ozil, but the German was unusually tardy in getting his effort away and Redmond blocked the effort.
Redmond’s theatrical dive on the edge of the box in the sixteenth minute brought an early yellow card for Nacho Monreal. The resulting free-kick saw Tadic chip the ball onto the underside of the bar, and the rebound hit Cech in the back and roll agonisingly over the line. It was not the start needed to maintain the feel good factor in parts of the ground. Arsenal’s slow build-up play started to frustrate some once again.
Arsenal 0-1 Southampton
Mustafi lifted the crowd again with a tremendous burst down the right flank and an inviting cross into the box strangely devoid of Arsenal attackers. When the Ox was felled by the corner flag Cazorla’s free-kick was glanced over the bar by the head of Walcott. Moments later Cazorla was booked, seemingly for dissent, when the Ox was adjudged to have committed a foul on the greasy surface.
As the half hour approached Arsenal levelled in spectacular style. A corner resulted in a brief bout of head tennis and when the ball bounced birthday boy Laurent Koscielny, of all people, produced a spectacular overhead kick into the corner of the net.
Arsenal 1-1 Southampton
Redmond brought down Cazorla from behind and was not even spoken to, which was something of an astonishing non-decision given what had happened earlier. Ten minutes from the break saw another chance fall to Ozil at the far post and although he got his fierce left foot drive away first time it was again blocked to safety. As Cazorla increasingly took control of the game another opportunity fell the way of the Ox but Cedric’s block prevented the Gunners from going in at the break ahead.
Before the second-half kicked off the Saints made yet another declaration of intent, sending on Long for the ineffective Rodriguez. Despite that it was the hosts who got on the front foot again with Hector Bellerin and Walcott prominent. Fraser Forster’s time-wasting finally drew the yellow card it had long deserved less than ten minutes after the break.
A last gasp block by Bertrand denied Lucas his debut goal. The new boy, like Koscielny, was also enjoying his birthday. At the other end the all-action Cazorla stopped a dangerous Saints break with an interception of his own. The Arsenal poured forward again and Bellerin drilled one narrowly wide of the far post, and that was the signal for a double substitution. Olivier Giroud and Alexis came on to replace Lucas and the sadly out of touch Oxlade-Chamberlain.
An increasingly rare Southampton break saw Long through for a one on one with Cech but his chip evaded the far post. It was a warning that this game was far from home and hosed. Again Arsenal returned to the offensive and Alexis blazed an effort just over the crossbar.
The last roll of our substitutions dice saw Alex Iwobi come on for Theo Walcott, who must have been just one more innocuous foul away from a yellow card. Almost immediately the lead looked inevitable when Alexis and Cazorla contrived to set up Olivier Giroud, via a deflected cross, but the Frenchman slipped at the vital moment and Southampton survived.
Ozil and Iwobi opened the Saints defence up and Monreal’s shot was deflected away for a corner. Some desperate last-gasp defending was keeping the promise of an away point alive. Ward-Browse clattered Alexis just outside the left corner of the box but Czorla’s free-kick was gratefully claimed by Forster. Home nerves were all but shredded when Cech was called on to make a double save from Holberg and Long with just seven minutes left.
Cazorla was on the end of a flowing move instigated by Iwobi and his cross found the head of the diving Giroud who found the angle just too tight. Then in the first added minute of time added on the Gunners got the reward their persistence had deserved. Giroud was hauled to the deck by Fonte after Koscielny took a boot in the face. From the resulting and delayed penalty kick Santi Cazorla landed the three points plus the second consecutive ‘holic pound.
Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
Southampton poured bodies forward to try and snatch something in the remaining minutes but Arsenal stayed defensively solid. The points were secured more by doggedness than quality, but when the other top clubs grind out late wins they are generally hailed as resolute winners. We’re a long way from proving that we now have that trait, about thirty-four matches to be precise, but we are turning around a shaky start to the new season, and the new boys have taken the first steps on their Premier League journey.
All things considered, we’ll take that. On to Paris it is, where a more searching examination of our credentials is bound to be experienced on Tuesday. Let’s worry about that then. For now we’ll just enjoy the reward we got in the time added on for the visitors time-wasting.
63 Responses to “Last Gasp Santi Oozes Class”
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If only The Arsenal were as clinical as the mighty Steve T???
Time to read the report now.
Evening H.
Thanks H. A nice summary.
Iβve not seen any of the game today. I can only go on the Sky reports and your report above. It seems another get out of jail effort. Reports are that the pen was very soft. I will judge later. Despite earlier comments we have had the luck of the draw with decisions in every game so far.
That said, 3 points is 3 points. However, we are fooling no one if we think that 2 shots on target, one from a centre half and one a pen, will be enough against the better sides. Rapid improvement required. Until then it’s time for a Landlord and a return to the Paralympics.
No complaints from me. The boys did great, Give me the win and next one up. COYG….
The penalty was not soft Steve, but play should have been stopped when Koscielny was spark out on the deck having been kicked in the face, another penalty offence, I thought.
Kos ..the best defender in the world! (He scores too!)
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Fair to say that today was smash and grab.
We are yet to see how Sanchez, Perez, Cazorla and Γzil work together however.
Onwards to Paris, where our forwards will certainly be afforded more space (to the detriment of PSG). I fancy 4-2 to us, and a double for Sanchez.
Blimey broglie, you are an optimistic soul, aren’t you? I like it. π
Cheers H. I take it the Kos kick was before the pen?
I will catch up with the highlights later.
Drinks on the bar for the early arrivals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7r8v2X7s8Y
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4-2 in Paris? Are you sure?
I can’t see PSG scoring twice.
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Overriding emotion was one of relief to be honest. We are, understandably, yet to fully get into the groove.
Ox was frustrating while the new chaps evidently need more time to gel with the rest of the crew. Giroud is as Giroud is.
One sincerely hopes AW gets the selection right on Tuesday.
Thanks for the summary, Goonerholic and congratulations on the Holic pound.
UTA
Congratulations Holic on getting two predictions right running. A great report in quick time too. Good the game was not stopped when Kos was injured or else we would never have won the game in the little time left for the final whistle. Koscielny is my man of the match. Is he a center half or a center forward!
We had two players, Ox and Theo, who have not really convinced so far this season and two new players who are totally new to the league which probably explains why we had a relatively poor match. Introduction of Sanchez changed the flow of the game. We need to do a lot better if we are to do well on Tuesday and hope Kos recovers completely by then.
Perez was not really convincing and Mustafi had a poor start but improved as the game progressed. Still early days for both of them. Hope they come up to expectations after they get used to the pace and power of the league.
Theo.hasn’t been looking that bad I thought!
Ain’t nobody
Like Koscielny
Makes me happy
Makes me feel this way!
I felt that we struggled today!
As stated above, Zhaka & Sanchez did not start (Probably with Tuesday’s fixture in mind), however this is the second game in 3 where Cech was beaten by a free kick, from yet another light foul leading to a free kick. A 90 minute penalty is not convincing enough to win a game.
However, the positives were that, we gained all three points, in a home game against Southampton. It’s something to build upon.
Onwards and upwards!
UTA!
Oh and Koscienly’s overhead bicycle kick something to behold!
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That I am in general, maestro. π
This time not for a lack of good reason, I may add. If after a quick comparison (on paper) of our squad with that of PSG you claim that ours isn’t superior overall, I would be difficult to convince.
We’ve had a few newcomers this year, and the team has yet to find the ideal level fluidity/understanding in their football. It will come, and it will be fun to watch.
We struggled to a draw against Leicester who are being put to the sword by a surprisingly good Liverpool. This season is going to be very competitive and we can’t take fourth place for granted which is why winning today was so significant. I cannot understand why we struggle against teams like Leicester, Stoke etc., when teams like Spuds, Liverpool win so easily against them.
feels like the whole team was on the bench…
this was a lucky win with all modesty… we going up!
A wonderful read Holic. Thank you. Building up confidence is really not easy and nothing helps building it like a win. Dirty or not. It was the first time this XI played together a competitive game. They kept penetrating and didn’t give up. I’m proud of the boys.
Just got home. Deserved win I thought from my vantage point high up in the North Bank. Few things to observe :
Definite penalty. Santi had balls of steel to put it away after a very long delay. Kos strike was a thing of beauty even from t’other end.
Actually liked watching Soton play under Koeman – but thought they were ‘orrible today ; time wasting, diving and one of their number even got carded for trying to dig up the penalty spot. Sort of crap we have come to expect from the likes of Stoke but not the Saints.
Was it just me or did Ozil have a very bad day at the office ?
The Reg Lewis pie @ Piebury is a thing of wonder.
Haha NDR, saw them referred to as Stokehampton on Twitter. π
Nice report Guvna.
We were unconvincing today. The game could have gone either way in truth. The three points are therefore very, very welcome indeed as must be the scoreline for all the punters who followed your lead.
One of these days the message has to be delivered that the game starts at the first whistle not after we are 0-1 down.
Lovely equaliser from Kos and fully deserved.
We started the second half much better and even pressed well for about 20 minutes but could/should easily have been 1-3 down but for Long’s profligacy and Cech’s brilliance. There were a few moments of that traditional old Arsenal defending of the ‘wide open’ nature. Can’t really say much about Lukas on the basis of this performance but he has a better touch than Feo and links well with those around him.
Santi worked his socks off both in and out of possession and showed balls of steel when the pen was delayed. MOTM for me despite the birthday boy’s superb bicycle kick goal and blow to the head.
Frankly we didn’t really do enough to win the game though the arrivals of Alexis, Giroud and later Iwobe made a significant difference to our penetration.
We’ve used our first ‘Get Out of Jail card’. Here’s hoping the team gels a great deal over the next few games and take a step up in level. At the moment we have the look of a team in the top six fighting for fourth place. Early days though.
Good report ‘Holic. It was a disjointed performance but we got better as the game went on. Lucas seemed to take some time to get used to the pace of the game, but worked hard and gave glimpses after the break of what he might bring to the team. Mustafi looked solid but needs to take one fewer touch before passing the ball, but that will come. Encouraging debuts for both, though
I assume team selection had one eye looking forward to Tuesday’s game and one looking backward to the internationals, but I thought Xhaka’s passing range was notable by its absence to day.
No doubt about the penalty.
Also, when Sanchez came on it seemed to flick the on switch inside Ozil. He had had a quiet game up til then but suddenly he burst into life and had a very good last half hour.
Congrats on the ‘Holic pound, just reward for punting on the first 2-1 home win against Southampton in the Premiership.
Good one Goonerholic!
Three points at home when one doesn’t play well? never a bad thing! That cunt Mournho wasn’t able to do it today was he??? Wanker!!!
Back Up The Arse!
AFCOF!
Cheers H!
Already said it on twitter: – we were bang fucking average. We will get better. FUCKING BRILLIANT DAY OUT!
Cheers everyone,
Good one H,
Were you behind the sofa when the pen was given. ?
Bang fucking average is right Esso,and still ground out a win.
That’s with at least 3 players on the pitch who won’t be in the starting lineup very often unless there are injury problems.
The new boys had to start somewhere,and despite some early nerves i thought both did okay considering the pace of the PL is light years ahead of the rest of Europe.
Even the great Bobby Pires started on the bench before his debut,and it took TH a while to adjust to the pace as well when he arrived at the Arse.
Don’t agree in the slightest that we used a get out of jail card winning this game.
The boys deserved it,they never gave up,and winning when not playing well is a trait you have to have if you want to compete at the top table.
Another generally poor performance with key players benched. I can understand keeping some fresh for Tuesday, but both Xhaka and Elneny? And Alexis and OG?
I wonder when Kos last scored with an overhead? I wonder when he last tried one! And I wonder if he’ll ever try one again after getting kicked in the head in a similar situation late on.
Very brave of Santi to put the pen away after the delay, but worryingly low for one down the middle, just asking to be caught by the keeper’s trailing leg – especially as it was a carbon copy of his Watford pen. Someone at Soton didn’t do their homework there.
“Worryingly low down the middle”.. Was Kos’ goal ‘worryingly within the goal frame’ too? Oh, Gooners.
Disjointed performance, sure. Ozil pre-Alexis had no touch- Romeu/Clasie hounded him pretty well too. Will have to re-watch to find out what Theo did of significance. Might the Ox be better suited on the right?
Kudos to Arsene for rotating. We won, why all the what ifs?!?
Santi Cazorla.. Nuff said!
The first half was as dismal as the weather, Perez was well off the pace but Mustafi after a nervous start had impressed me by the end.
I thought the penalty was generous but great credit to Santi putting it away after the longish delay following the Kos injury. His goal was the highlight of a very disappointing encounter.
Still we had the last laugh over a gang of Hammers fans on the train home. On to Paris and better things.
COYRs
Nice to see Moaninho showing his famous touch of class only 4 games into the season, blaming his players for losing the derby. Nothing to do with him of course. All their fault.
*lights match, walks towards bridge*
Finally seen some highlights and I’m inclined to agree with Bath and Delia. Esso’s average comment also seems more than valid.
I’ve watched the penalty decision a few times now and do think we were fortunate. I don’t think that is nailed on at all and was soft. For those still wondering if that was Kos on Long in the 92nd minute and it was given, how would you feel? I’m guessing there would be many on social media issuing their very own death warrants.
It will take a while for our new signings to settle in. Why we are forbidden to sign players at the same time as everyone else will always be a mystery to me.
On to Paris. That could be interesting.
Morning all.
Nutshell, H.
And then he tripped him.
Just to nail it.
Pen. Not soft. Simply against the laws of the game. On two counts.
Amazing how people can be persuaded so easily to follow the vacuous views of that idiot Shearer. Pen. All day long.
Pretty damn fair write-up, Holic.
Bath, Delia, Esso on point too.
Sorry Steve, if that was soft, Mr Whippy will be looking for a new recipe ?
Interesting that after not getting a home penalty last season we have had two in two games( and one at Watford) .I also expect more rotation with this squad as yesterday proved. Thanks for the report H- now a wealthy man!
Defender pulled OG’s shirt and then tripped him up.
From what I remember of Shearer as a player he would of been going apoplectic at the officials had that not been given for him.
Strange that there is so much comment since yesterday’s game about how soft our penalty was. Holic’s photo surely puts that one to bed.
What I find odd is how little has been said about the Southampton goal.
From my vantage point, I simply saw Redmond, on a run across the edge of the area, suddenly launch into the air.
There had been no sign of a coming together and if there was any contact with the defender, there was certainly no intention to foul. For that, we gained a yellow card and conceded a goal.
Several worse, actual fouls by Southampton went unpunished, either by cards or even free kicks.
The truth is that Southampton have morphed into a team that enjoys the dark arts – time wasting, diving, feigning injury, snail speed exits from the pitch at substitutions.
Well, for once the added time for their misdemeanours worked in our favour. They have done extremely well in recent seasons to cope with the loss of so many of their apparent best players.
They will lose a lot of sympathy support if they carry on like yesterday.
I think one still photo does not paint a true image of the whole event. OG has his arm all over Fonte as well.
I will take it every day of the week but am more inclined to think it was given for the “trip” as opposed to the shirt pull.
I for one hate all the shirt pulling in the box, or anywhere for that matter. I’m all for clamping down on it massively. I would just say this though. Watch it again and tell me you would not have complained of it was given against us?
That photo doesn’t show Giroud’s arm all over Fonte – he is simply and justifiably trying to punch him in the face ! ???
Clearly Fonte admires Giroud there.. trying to exchange shirts before the whistle and all..! π
Barcode Shearer can shove it where the sun don’t shine.
π
..oh and Moaninho….Haaahahhaahah!
π
Trev@40. Indeed. If there was contact it was all in Redmondβs mind.
As for the Fonte/Giroud penalty, just because you see those not given doesnβt mean they are not penalties.
Seems Chelsea have the same problems as we do at Swansea. Hilarious second half, enjoyed that.
If he’s going to play a geriatric Terry and a slow Cahill at CB, they will have problems, Kante or no Kante.
Costa looks sharp though, let’s hope he picks up a red card before they play us.
Costa; patron saint of shithousery.
Three points desperately needed but certainly won, not to mention deserved.
Is Terry still actually getting picked? He’s overstayed his welcome a bit but I love that Chelsea are sticking with him, do they really not have a worthy replacement?
All that cash and they can’t even spend it βΊ
Am I right in thinking that Sanogo has not been loaned out this season and is in the first-team squad?
Ned@50
Yes you’re right. The French Bendtner is in contention for selection. Makes you wonder what is in Wenger’s mind sometimes . Perhaps he forgot about him?
Comes with age, Ttg…
Sanogo. Another one to add to the list of players that we can’t even give away.
Who is Claudio Bravo exactly ?
Watching his display yesterday it was as if Pep Guardiola had a quick look in the street before the game, spotted a passerby and asked,
“Hey, Sinor, have you ever played football in goal ?”
Passerby, “No, sorry”,
PG, “What, never – ever ?”
Passerby, “No !”
PG, “Never mind – come and play in goal for us !”
Seems you can take the thug out of Stoke –
and put it right into Mark Hughes ?
Yep. Thank you, ‘Holic!
Posed this a month ago, but has there ever been a side with more primarily left-footed players than Arsene’s current squad?
OG did have his arms spread during the contact with Fonte and that could have been seen as interfering with the defender, but as I understand it there is a specific directive about shirt-holding in such situations this season and Fonte was the only one doing that. As the crackdown demands it was a penalty all day.
My point about Santi’s pen, Ochi, is that it was a carbon copy of the one he took against Watford and Saints tacticians might have been expected to have noted that. In particular, being fired in so low it was vulnerable to being stopped by the keeper’s trailing leg. Of course it might also have been a double bluff by Santi. The most important thing is that he scored with both. I just hope he varies it next time.
I thought Bravo had been taking lessons from Joe Hart.
That was a magnificent performance from the birthday boy, captain Koscielny. Not only the delightful goal and his typical high energy proactive defending but also subtle changes in his positional play to provide contrast to his new defensive partner who is very similar in his aggressive approach to ball winning higher up the pitch. Really has a knack of scoring highly important goals.
Coquelin played very well too, not only with pressing and ball winning and covering the flanks but also with quick rotation and the decoy runs allowing Santi, who was my man of the match, to pull the strings. We needed him to play that well as Ozil was uncuharacteristically poor and only after Alexis came on he seemed to finally have woken up.
Santi-Ozil-Alexis to kickstart our CL campaign with an impressive victory away at Paris. A late goal from Lucas coming on as a sub.?
Chris, Foster had dived to his left before Santi struck the ball so Santi drilled the ball into space that had been vacated. The question is whether he was going to do that anyway or made a last-second choice. I guess we’ll never know. As you say, the important point is that he scored.
Dr F, agree about Ozil. He was a different player after Alexis came on.
Morning,
Is it me or does tomorrow seem like it’s our first real test, so far this season?
Is it me or does tomorrow’s game seem like it is built for a player like Lucas Perez, coming from the Spanish league, playing against a side from Ligue 1?
Who know’s? What I do know though, is that, all will be revealed tomorrow.
π π π
3 points from what looked 1 till the end. Will take 3 anyday of the week, thank you.
Ozil was poor till Alexis came on and i just wonder if those 2 only want to pass to one another? I know exaggeration but honestly each one look for the other most times.
Santi and Kos brilliant. Cannot rave enough about Kos though. The same player who was roundly criticized when he joined us 2010, now is the lynchpin of the defense and boy how good is he. I just hope he retires here after atleast another 5 years with us.
united, chelsea and city did show vulnerability but then can we capitalize on it will be the true test of this team. Early signs are, we still are not sure of our best 11 and need time to gel. time shall tell.
Paris beckons and i think it will be a draw, a scored one of course. PSG are not at their real best but have enough players to hurt us. We can do the same but need to bring in our A game. If at all we need to kick start our season, this will be ideal.
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