Arsenal failed to secure all three points against a well-oiled Southampton side last night at the St. Mary’s which leaves them at the cusp of losing their top spot to Manchester City and Chelsea who are playing today. The Gunners could be pushed down to 3rd place if their competitors managed to pick up all three points.
Albeit, it has to be said Arsenal were lucky to get a point. The home side dominated the game from the word go and broke the deadlock as early as the 20th minute and finished the half on a high. However, Arsenal managed to score two quick fire goals early in the second half, thanks to goals from Giroud and Cazorla. But only to give away an easy goal to Lallana minutes after taking the lead. And in the midst of all these, Flamini was rightly sent off for a double footed challenge which left Wenger with no option but to bring in an additional defender to help his midfielders.
As it stand the Gunners are just two points ahead of City and three points ahead of Chelsea. This was perhaps the last opportunity for the Gunners to pick up easy points on their travel before their crunch ties at Anfield and White Hart Lane next month and not to say the big match against Bayern Munich in between them. It looks a daunting task ahead of the Gunners from now to end of the season where they will have to show their real character if they are to pick up any silverware.
Talking to the Press after the game, Wenger insisted that Flamini’s sending off meant that Arsenal had to settle with a point.
“I think in the first half Southampton played very well and we didn’t play well. Southampton deserved the lead at half-time. In the second half I felt we played well. Overall I would say it’s a difficult point but a fair one. I wouldn’t say it was a very, very bad performance, I think it was a very good football game and Southampton deserved some credit.”
“We were a bit unlucky with the decision on the first goal, twice. First on Mertesacker, there was no foul, after there was a foul on Monreal. But I don’t complain on the quality of our game in the first half – it was not good enough. We had some problems to get into the pace of the game. In the second half it was much better but after when he had to push on for the third goal we were down to ten men so we had a least to go home with a point.”
Here are some of the Tweets that followed the game:
Gunners dropping 2 pts not a good thing especially with fixtures piling up in next 45 days…Need to play calmly…#Arsenal
— Chinmay (@chinmays_83) January 29, 2014
#wenger please “BUY A STRIKER”!! #arsenal
— Siddharth Yadav (@knotsid) January 29, 2014
Wenger why you no play podolski?! #arsenal # thinkingoutloud
— Preetika Ghosh (@preetikaghosh) January 29, 2014
I fear that my worst fears about #Arsenal might come true in this crucial half of the season in all competitions. I hope I’m wrong. #afc
— Anukram Adhikary (@Anukram_Human) January 29, 2014
We’re going to drop points & away at Southampton isn’t the worst place to do it. Disappointing though, especially in defence. #Arsenal #AFC
— Arsene’s Eyes (@Arsenes_Eyes) January 28, 2014
I never, ever, ever thought I’d be saying this.. But please for all that is good in the world, Tottenham Hotspur, win tomorrow. #Arsenal
— Alexi (@FIowzil) January 29, 2014
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