Arsenal Vs Southampton: Recap, Highlights And Analysis

Arsenal travelled to Southampton in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday. Here is the full recap, all the highlights and analysis from the 5-0 win.

This was an excellent win for Arsenal. With Arsene Wenger making many changes, resting the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Laurent Koscielny, the squad depth of the Gunners came to the fore in tremendous fashion.

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With Watford coming to the Emirates on Tuesday night and a trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday on the horizon, finding form with such imposing fixtures upcoming is important. The returns of Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott could well be significant in the latter stages of the season, as evidenced by their respectively brilliant displays on Saturday.

The first half started in expected fashion with two teams who had little knowledge of one another. Both were happy for the other to have the ball in deep areas and both pressed incessantly in the defensive third. However, as time progressed, the greater quality of the Arsenal midfield, in particular, Jeff Reine-Adelaide and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, began to shine through.

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The first goal came for the Gunners through some wonderful interplay. Ainsley Maitland-Niles played a low, direct pass into the feet of Lucas Perez. The lively Spaniard then, displaying wonderful awareness and a subtle touch, flicked a first-time pass round the corner, into the path of Danny Welbeck who, in his first start of the season after an extended injury lay-off, dinked over the onrushing Harry Lewis.

It was not long until the second came and it was that man Welbeck once again. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, playing in a central, deeper lying role, had the vision to see Welbeck’s darting run in behind. He played a lovely diagonal ball, Welbeck pulled it down and slotted past Lewis with a little bit of luck having mishit the shot.

Arsenal, though, were not finished there. It was again Welbeck and Lucas Perez who were instrumental in the build up. A neat one-two released Welbeck to the byline. A ball across the penalty box and a darting Theo Walcott later, and the ball was in the back of the net for the third time of the half.

The second half began in a fashion that a game with a three-goal difference would. There was a sense of resignation about Southampton. Both sides continued to play neat, intricate football, but neither showed the intensity of the first 45 minutes the game all but over.

There was a fourth goal to be found for Arsenal. Chamberlain again was heavily involved, poking the ball around Gardos. He then released Alexis Sanchez, who had come on for Welbeck earlier in the half. The Chilean patiently waited for an option to appear before firing a pull-back to the feet of Walcott who in turn steered home into the far corner in a composed manner.

The final goal came in the closing moments. Sanchez was released on the break down the left channel. With great patience, he waited for support, laid it square for the onrushing Walcott who slammed home the finish for his hattrick and a wonderfully confidence inspiring performance.

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This was a show of strength in depth from Arsenal. There were numerous returnees and youngsters who impressed, highlighting the versatility and the ability of the lesser known players in the squad. This was an excellent performance with important games upcoming and now a chance for Wenger to win his record-setting seventh FA Cup trophy.

Highlights