Impotent holders limp out of the cup

Southampton 1 Arsenal 0
FA Cup 4th Round
Saturday 23rd January 2021 12.15pm

Southampton fielded a strong team that looked like they cared about progressing into the last 16 of the FA Cup a little more than Mikel Arteta, who mixed things up to give gametime to some second stringers. Away against a team above them in the league, one that they have struggled to beat in recent encounters, it indicated Arteta’s priorities. Tuesday evening’s Premier League visit to the same opposition is more important. 

Consequently, the mix and match side that took on the Saints produced an impotent, disjointed performance. We’ve actually seen the first eleven play like this a good number of times this season, and one has to ask what is actually happening on the training ground to produce such unwatchable fare. Some of the players simply aren’t of the required standard, and there’s little point hoping that either Eddie Nketiah or Pepe will come good, or that Willian will ever consistently recapture the form that won him trophies at Stamford Bridge. The full backs can’t take throw-ins and the keeper has a tendency to make errors that cost. Bernd Leno was certainly guilty of going down in installments for the Saints’ winning goal, and even allowing for the deflection off Gabriel, it was calamitous, made even worse by Elneny giving the ball away near the sideline to initiate the move. Sadly, too many players at the club flatter to deceive, with an occasional reminder of their ability, but consistency elusive.

I wrote in my previous blog entry that “Arteta’s Arsenal are still finding their identity, and when they click it looks good. When they don’t it is often simply dull. Controlling a game does not have to be boring as long as there is a hint that danger could strike at any minute. If Arteta can field the right players, then things do not have to be dull, but he has been unfortunate with injuries, and created problems for himself in selecting below par performers.”

So with that in mind, the selection for the game was always inviting trouble, although at least the allowance of five substitutes did allow for changing half the team. Mind you, I am guessing two of those could have only been in extra time. In the second half, a goal down, Arteta threw on Partey, Lacazette and Saka and things did pick up a little, but clear cut chances were rare, with only Rob Holding (the man who seems destined never to score) and Saka having clear sight of goal as they shot.

There isn’t much more to say. Players given gametime to state their case for regular inclusion passed up the opportunity, the usual suspects of Pepe and Willian marginal. Martinelli did have a couple of early chances, but suffered by not being supported on the left by Kieran Tierney, who was not risked, even on the bench, presumably because of injury concerns. Aubameyang was given absent due to personal matters. Emile Smith Rowe was also missed, Willian a poor alternative in the role behind the striker. 

It can only be hoped that the return of better players will lift the side from this 90 plus minutes of malaise. On paper, not a disastrous eleven. In reality, uninspired and laboured. The kind of display that raises questions over the manager. Last season, Arteta needed the FA Cup to salvage European football for the current campaign. Now it’s top six (or maybe seven) or the Europa League trophy that will deliver the same. Will Arteta risk second stringers against Benfica, his only remaining cup competition? I am not certain he can afford to, so it will be interesting to see what he does to give the second stringers gametime from hereon.

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