{"id":3319,"date":"2022-04-15T20:02:07","date_gmt":"2022-04-15T20:02:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uncensoredarsenal.com\/?p=3319"},"modified":"2022-04-16T10:50:20","modified_gmt":"2022-04-16T10:50:20","slug":"running-out-of-time-and-excuses-arsenal-at-southampton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uncensoredarsenal.com\/index.php\/running-out-of-time-and-excuses-arsenal-at-southampton\/","title":{"rendered":"Running Out Of Time And Excuses: Arsenal At Southampton"},"content":{"rendered":"

Follow us on our TELEGRAM channel: https:\/\/t.me\/uncensoredarsenal<\/em><\/strong>
\n

\"\"

#SOUARS match preview by Shard aka @ShardGooner<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a very weird stat going around about Arsenal only having created 1 big chance more than Burnley. The same Burnley that are in the relegation zone and have just fired Sean Dyche in a desperate bid to survive relegation. Arsenal\u2019s manager survived despite relegation from Europe last season, but creating such few chances to score isn\u2019t doing him or Arsenal any favours. Yet, bizarrely, he sticks to his assertion that it is the efficiency in scoring that is the problem rather than chance creation.<\/p>\n

Which of course has led many an Arsenal fan to scapegoat Aubameyang, and now Lacazette, as the reason for our current woes. Though simultaneously our woes are downplayed. I don\u2019t know why it\u2019s all so weird.<\/p>\n

Adding to the weirdness of it all is that Lacazette was out of training due to \u2018personal reasons\u2019. Arteta did hint that it\u2019s possible he will be back for the match, but who knows if this isn\u2019t another case of it being PERSONAL reasons. One can never tell with Arteta and his cultural revolution.<\/p>\n

Even more bizarre has been the ongoing treatment of Nuno Tavares. He was signed with much fanfare. One for the future, yes, but also hyped up as being ready to play, adept at either fullback position, and his ability to contribute in attack. The scouting department came in for praise for spotting him. A few months on and he\u2019s being subbed off after 35 and 45 mins and then benched in favour of our best and most consistent CM, who the manager insists has great stats at LB.<\/p>\n

Southampton can press the ball<\/strong><\/p>\n

It all seems unnecessarily disruptive, but this is where we are as we go into the game against Hassenhutl\u2019s Southampton side. A 3rd defeat in a row scarcely bears thinking about but also we must be wary because if there\u2019s one thing Southampton do well, it is pressing the ball. They, like Palace, have caused Manchester City some problems, and since Imiteta is fully a Pep Juego de PoS regen, we should be worried.<\/p>\n

Southampton are in horrid form if we\u2019re honest. Only managing a draw against Leeds, while the other 4 of their last 5 have been defeats. Including heavy losses to Aston Villa, and most recently a 6-0 walloping by Chelsea. Of course, having watched us lose to Palace and Brighton would have given them some hope they can start to set things right.<\/p>\n

However, not only do we have the better team, by far, we also have more to play for. Southampton are probably safe from relegation and are looking to finish as high up the table as they can. Arsenal meanwhile are, or ought to be, desperate to finish in the top 4 and ahead of Spurs.<\/p>\n

Find an attacking rhythm<\/strong><\/p>\n

The key will be to find an attacking rhythm and go after them early in the game. Scoring first would help us immensely as Southampton will then have to start leaving some space for us to exploit. I\u2019d be looking to Odegaard to run the game for us. He came in for special praise from Arteta, and while he has some talent, I feel he needs to start doing a lot more to justify the hype.<\/p>\n

He will of course have to do it without Partey supporting him in midfield, as he is possibly out for the season, and it seems Tomiyasu still isn\u2019t fit. Tierney is of course also out. With Xhaka playing fullback, we could see a midfield pairing of Sambi and Elneny, although we also have the option of playing both Odegaard and ESR through the centre.<\/p>\n

Details or The System?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arteta seems to feel he\u2019s being let down by \u2018the details\u2019 rather than any systemic issue, and of course he constantly indicates how short-handed he is, which I don\u2019t buy for a second. But whether it is true or not, what is certain is that there is no time for excuses now. We have 8 games left. We\u2019ve scored 54 points, scored 45 goals and have a GD of +9. We are also within 3 points of 4th placed Spurs who have played a game more. This is where the manager and the players earn their money. We have the talent. Do we have the know-how and the confidence to make the most of it? I guess we\u2019ll find out.<\/p>\n

PS: <\/strong>\u00a0If you haven\u2019t watched it, please see Granit Xhaka\u2019s interview with The Players\u2019 Tribune. There may be fans who will always seek to hate him, but he comes across very well and speaks from the heart on an important issue of respect within the game.<\/p>\n