Arsenal 3-0 Southampton: 4 talking points from Saints thrashing

Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 11, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Steve Bardens / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by STEVE BARDENS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) speaks with Arsenal’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton. (Photo by STEVE BARDENS/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Gabriel Martinelli Does His Best Alexis Sanchez Impression

That’s obviously hyperbolic, but he was pretty darn brilliant.

After being in the wilderness under Arteta for the first part of the season, Martinelli has started the last three games for Arsenal and has looked every bit of the player he was before his knee injury.

His pace, energy, direct running, and ability to close down opposing defenders for the entire game were a feature against the Saints. On his current form, it is hard to see him dropped to the bench, but with Emile Smith Rowe waiting to come back he will likely see himself pushed out.

It wouldn’t be a shame to see Smith Rowe brought back in, but it would be a shame to see Martinelli miss out. He’s had a run of games in his favoured position and looked as sharp as ever.

He has made good on his three starting berths and was unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet with a superb curling effort that cannoned off the post in the second half.

It would appear as if Gabi is back.

Continued on next page…

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