The lineup was weaker compared to the one that visited Villa Park last weekend. Ospina was in action for Arsenal for the first time since joining the club. It was not a completely inexperienced team with the likes of Wilshere, Podolski and Rosicky. It was also good to see Abou Diaby back after a period of 18 months (he had 66 minutes of action without getting injured). The back four were just too frail as we saw Chambers, Hayden, Coquelin and Bellerin deployed there and that had a big effect on the result.
Arsenal went ahead in the 13th minute when Alexis Sanchez sent in a freekick from 25 yards to keep the Southampton goalkeeper, Fraser Forster dumbfounded. It did not take too long before the Saints responded with a goal from a penalty kick. It was Rosicky who gifted them that opportunity by bringing down Sadio Mane in the area and Dusan Tadic did well to send it past Ospina.
It was now more of the visitors and this almost resulted in a second for them when Graziano Pelle ran in only to see his shot obstructed by the post.
Oh! what a goal!!!!! but unfortunately it was not coming from an Arsenal player. Chambers made an headed clearance which got to Clyne who wasted no time as he thumped in a screamer from 30 yards. That goal definitely was the topic on the lips of everyone who saw it.
Arsenal bossed the second half but Southampton had the better chances even though none of the two sides were able to hit the back of the net. It eneded 1-2. Wenger's side will now have to do all they can to be victorious in their next match which is the North-London derby.
I read the comments of some fans on Facebook but what I saw baffled me. many of them did not take the loss as anything disastrous. They said crashing out of the CC Cup was better as it would give them room for more concentration on the Premier League. Let us not deceive ourselves. Arsenal cannot win the EPl with this squad. The only solution would be to sign top players in january.
Though some failed to make any criticism about the game, I have a friend here who has something to say about that loss.
UK Gunner: Arsenal out of Cup and again Wenger got it wrong. Podolski is not anywhere near good enough and he should have been sold already.
He should not have played Sanchez and again Wilshere is lacking pace and failed to impact upon the game, He should have closed down and not allowed Clyne to have the 30 yard shot but also Ospina should also have saved that shot.
Ozil should have been played to keep up his confidence in his correct position. Wenger’s weak squad has been exposed again but nobody is criticizing him yet. I do hope it comes soon.
He is to blame ultimately for the loss. The team is a makeshift of players being played out of position and fringe players who would never normally have gotten a game.
Diaby is a misfit and cannot fit in to the team. A new midfielder has to be bought.
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