Arsenal: 4 helpful ways to beat Southampton

3. Don’t Give James Ward-Prowse the Chance

Manchester United’s weakness is their defence, and their attack is their strength. Naturally, Arsenal’s response was to sit back and abandon any adventure.

Everton’s weakness was how easily they were played through midfield, and their strengths are Demarai Gray and Richarlison. Naturally, Arsenal’s response was to play the ball slowly side to side and let those two run off Granit Xhaka.

Southampton’s biggest strength is the right boot of James Ward-Prowse. So, for that reason, giving away stupid fouls in and around the box is precisely what Arsenal shouldn’t be doing.

Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are the likely midfield partnership. One of them is reckless and lets emotions get the better of him, while the other is so shot for confidence it’s forcing him into clumsy errors. It’s not the best combination going.

Keeping heads screwed on is essential. This Southampton team do not score many goals, and when they do they are dreadful at holding on to them, so there is no reason to present them with more opportunities to rectify those shortcomings.

Aaron Ramsdale can’t pull out saves like the one at Leicester every week. Well, maybe he can, but don’t test the theory.

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