Hi.
On Saturday we have increased our lead to four points in total, after having beaten Southampton in a convincing fashion. It turned out to be a game of few chances, but the difference between the sides was the number of individual errors. Southampton made several, while we made none, hence the final result.
For the first time in several months, our lack of squad depth was barely noticeable. Mertesacker and Rosicky overcame the effects of the flu, Whilshere was all right, despite some reports to the contrary and Walcott made his long-awaited comeback, though only as a sub. Which is understandable, given how long he was out. The only absentee (apart from long-termers) was Flamini, who missed out due to amassing five yellow cards.
The first half saw us start brightly, taking matters into our hands right from the start. We dominated possession and territory and should have been 2-0 up by the 20th minute.
First Whilshere hit the post with a chip from a narrow angle and several minutes later Ramsey`s beautiful backheel shot rebounded of the same post.
The goal would come from a surprising mistake by Boruc. The Pole failed to clear his lines in time, instead trying to dribble his way around Giroud. The Frenchman took it in his stride, deprived Boruc of the ball and poked it into the empty net. While the goalkeeper`s mistake was silly and completely avoidable, thumbs up to Giroud, who forced that error. He's always willing to press the goalkeeper and sometimes it pays.
Southampton now needed to come forward in order to savour something from this game, and they did so enthusiastically. Twice the Saints went close to scoring and both times they were denied by brilliant Szczesny. Lallana and Rodriguez tested our keeper in turns, but Wojciech was equal to it. Great stuff from our newly-signed goalie.
In the second half, the game basically died down. Southampton poked and probed, but were held at arm's length by a disciplined Arsenal side. The Gunners, meanwhile, sat back, content to let then come at us. Whether we didn't quite find our rhythm, defended our slender lead or saved the energy for the midweek fixture is unclear, but we never looked even remotely troubled by the Saints attempts to equalise. Szczesny dealt brilliantly with the little work thrown his way, dominating his area and easily parrying a couple of distance shots.
In the 82nd minute we sealed the game. Rosicky swung in a corner, Mertesacker was held back and the ref pointed to the spot. Both Arteta and Ozil were substituted by then, so Giroud stepped up and grabbed his second. By then, though, it was truly game over.
After the game, Arsene said:
"I am convinced that after a break like that, the character is tested. Can you win when you have to in a season like that, straightaway again after a big defeat [to Manchester United]? That was really at stake for us".
Once again, we showed our character. Our game didn't click the way it's supposed to, yet we've got all the three points in a convincing way. Szczesny had a big contribution to make, but the team as a whole dug deep and helped the Pole on his way to another clean sheet. We tried not to concede and take the few chances we had and pulled it off. Again. Gotta love it.
Though City and Chelsea had won (the former beating Tottenham to a pulp), a draw in the Merseyside derby ensured we increase our gap from the second-placed Liverpool.
The only worry is Arteta. We was substituted in the latter stages after suffering a knock of some kind, so fingers crossed it's nothing serious.
Enjoy the win and I'll be back tomorrow with Marseille preview.