Southampton 1-0 Arsenal: 4 talking points from top four setback

Southampton 1-0 Arsenal: 4 talking points as top four fades

Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel reacts after missing a chande during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on April 16, 2022. - 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 Daniel LEAL / 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 DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 16: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, shouts instructions during the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary’s Stadium on April 16, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

4. Arteta Going Hail Mary

There is throwing everything you’ve got at a side to try and find yourself a route back into the game, and then there is what Arteta is doing.

By the 70th minute, Arsenal had six attacking players on the pitch:

Nketiah
Saka
Martinelli
Odegaard
Pepe
Smith Rowe

This newfound Hail Mary approach with no full-backs by the manager doesn’t exactly fill supporters with confidence. When there is a goal that needs securing then it’s absolutely worth throwing the kitchen sink at the team, but it also demonstrates the lack of success in the initial approach.

Having a system fall apart with two players missing, such is the desperation that Arsenal are now fielding every single attacking player they have at their disposal on the pitch at once. It doesn’t reflect well on the manager irrespective of how forced it may be.

Next. Player ratings vs Southampton. dark

When faced with crisis before Arteta has not found the solutions. Yet again that was the case.

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