Great win today! I thought we would have a tougher time with Southampton but once we got the break with the first goal, it looked like we can steamroll them, as it happened. Scoring early at home is very important for us because then we can control and open up the game which is when we are at our best.
I was also very happy that Wenger made some changes ahead of the Champions League trip on Tuesday. I wasn't too excited seeing Gervinho starting, but he had his best game of the season thus rewarding Wenger's faith in him. He still had some stupid mistakes but compared to previous games, he was much smarter with the ball and tried to combine more with his teammates instead of just doing his usual goal line run. He did a good job scoring the third goal, those 100% goal scoring chances are sometimes tough to convert and he did a good job of making it 3-0. Coquelin starting was good to see, he needs some games because he is a pretty good player. I hope Wenger will make some more changes for the Montpellier game because Gibbs has been known for getting injured, so has Jenkinson. Santos could play left back and maybe Coquelin slotting at right back so Jenkinson can rest. I would also love to see Koscielny start, he needs some games to get back in rhythm. In reality, i doubt that Wenger will reshuffle the defense except maybe for Koscielny.
I was also very happy that Wenger made some changes ahead of the Champions League trip on Tuesday. I wasn't too excited seeing Gervinho starting, but he had his best game of the season thus rewarding Wenger's faith in him. He still had some stupid mistakes but compared to previous games, he was much smarter with the ball and tried to combine more with his teammates instead of just doing his usual goal line run. He did a good job scoring the third goal, those 100% goal scoring chances are sometimes tough to convert and he did a good job of making it 3-0. Coquelin starting was good to see, he needs some games because he is a pretty good player. I hope Wenger will make some more changes for the Montpellier game because Gibbs has been known for getting injured, so has Jenkinson. Santos could play left back and maybe Coquelin slotting at right back so Jenkinson can rest. I would also love to see Koscielny start, he needs some games to get back in rhythm. In reality, i doubt that Wenger will reshuffle the defense except maybe for Koscielny.
The defense had another solid performance. If it wasn't for Szczesny's stupidity they could have probably kept another clean sheet. We had periods of pulling back in our own half but compared to past years our pressing of the ball is so much better! I noticed it even in the 72min when the score was already 5-1 and we could have easily sat back and relaxed but i am guessing Bould is trying to create a culture of proper defending for 90 min and so far he is doing a great job! Mertesacker is getting better and better, i didn't see too many times today when he got bullied, which would happen in other games. So he is finally starting to play more physical and use his size. Vermaelen also had a good game and almost scored just before the 6th goal. Both Jenkinson and Gibbs were good, the latter having a big impact on both own goals. The only negative was Szczesny's performance. Maybe he was a bit rusty but not only he basically handed Southampton their goal, he also had horrible kicks in the 65th and 69th mins which led to counters for the Saints in each occasion. He better step up his game or Mannone will gladly take his place.
The midfield was great today. Cazorla was involved in everything we tried to do and the reason i like him so much and i think he is even better than Fabregas is that he keeps things so simple. Short passes, great control and he is able to make the right pass/decision 90% of the time. He didn't score today but was involved in almost every attack we had. Arteta was very good as well. Gave a great pass to Gervinho for his 1st goal; and was controlling the midfield together with Cazorla. Oxlade-Chamberlain was invincible for big periods of the first half. He would do something positive and then disappear for 10 mins. He needs to be constantly involved and look for opportunities to attack people. He definitely played better in the second half with a few good shots at goal and some good combinations. Podolski had a good game. It was his great hustle that set up the first goal. He scored a great goal from a free kick and was combining very well with Gibbs on the left flank.
Both Ramsey and Walcott came in and played well. I want to single out Ramsey because i always bash him when he comes in and is very sloppy. Today he had a positive impact on the game and pretty much made Gervinho's second goal with his good run and shot. Giroud didn't have much of an impact but he also didn't have many chances today. To sum it up, we got a great result today against a team who will start winning because they have some quality. I also saw some changes in the starting line up from Wenger which is good to see and a lot of goals which is great for our confidence. I am expecting a good performance in France and then a huge game next Sunday at Manchester City. If we can get a win there, a lot of people will start taking us more seriously. C'mon You Gunners!!!
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