Pressing Arsenal much more like it

Southampton 1 Arsenal 3
Premier League
Tuesday 26th January 2021 8.15pm

Three days after the miserable cup exit at St Mary’s, Arsenal returned to the scene of their disgrace in miserable weather, but with a performance that re-ignited belief in what Mikel Arteta is trying to do, and moving up to the lofty heights of 8th place in the table, with a 3-1 victory.

There were five changes from the team that started on Saturday, as Luiz, Partey, Saka, Smith Rowe and Lacazette replaced Gabriel, Elneny, Martinelli, Willian and Nketiah. Things didn’t start well as Lacazette failed to convert a one-on-one with the keeper and Southampton took the lead from a corner kick. Pepe simply didn't pay any attention to the player he was marking, allowing Armstrong to fire the ball past Bernd Leno in the third minute.

No matter, things got seriously better after that, as Arsenal’s front players worked hard to press Southampton deep, forcing them to play it long. Five minutes after his aberration, Pepe received a through ball from Granit Xhaka and gave us the kind of finish we would expect from an attacker with his price tag. This was an Arsenal side lacking both Aubameyang and Kieran Tierney, and Pepe played in the former’s postion, his usual flank being occupied by Bukayo Saka. 

Saka combined with Alex Lacazette to contribute the second and third goals, Saka scoring the first with a cool finish after pushing the ball past the keeper, and Lacazette getting on the end of a Saka pass across the face of the goal – although Cedric Soares at left back deserves credit for his ball across the pitch to Saka in the first instance.

Arsenal looked comfortable and when Willian came on as a sub, worked as hard as his collagues to suppress Southampton from creating any build-up play from the back. The pressing was energetic and committed. It suggests some harsh words after the weekend defeat, because there was nowhere near the equivalent amount of energy expended then. It does need saying that the home side were weakened by the absence of their first choice full backs. 

Emile Smith Rowe gave so much he had to be subbed due to his exertion, and he will no doubt be required for the game against Manchester United on Saturday, as Mikel Arteta is unlikely to throw Martin Odegaard straight in. Having said that, the amount of energy the pressing game we witnessed last night cannot be maintained by the same eleven twice a week, so you can see the wisdom in having two players that can play in what used to be Mesut Ozil’s position, and indeed Ozil’s demotion and subsequent release are indicative that Arteta wants players who will do the hard yards when his side does not have possession. On this front, Willian will have to up his game, and Pepe needs to focus more if they are to see first team starts as often as their respective cost to the club justifies. 

One definite plus about last night was that we got some indication as to why Cedric was considered worthy of a four year deal. Granted, he gave the ball away a fair bit, but that was generally trying things in attacking areas, not costly loss of possession that put his team at risk (think Elneny). But his contribution was such that Kieran Tierney was not missed, and having let Sead Kolasinac go out on loan, the left side of defence is more than covered with several options including Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Saka able to fill there if required. 

It’s worth asking why the level of commitment we saw yesterday has not been seen too often this season. Yes, it is physically draining, but if applied correctly, games can be won in the first hour and then controlled, training ground style. The fear is that Arsenal’s players decide when they are going to turn up with this kind of performance, and whether Arteta has enough options to exclude players who won’t put in a shift. As one friend messaged me after the game, “The team all seemed to work harder today. Surprise, surprise it makes a difference to the outcome”. It’s not rocket science. Let us hope it becomes the norm, because it is enjoyable watching the Gunners play this kind of football.

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