Arteta: ‘The players are really down today’
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said in his press conference after the 1-0 defeat against Southampton in the Premier League that his players were very down after the match.
A flat performance from the Gunners, however, meant Spurs’ slip-up went unpunished, allowing Southampton to end a five-match winless run of their own. Despite the end result, Arsenal did make a bright start, with Cedric Soares drawing a decent save from Forster after cutting in from the right.
Southampton’s goalkeeper was forced into a more difficult stop when he brilliantly diverted Bukayo Saka’s effort over the bar.
The Saints recovered from their slow start to strike first, though, when Bednarek swept Mohamed Elyounoussi’s cut back home from close range after 44 minutes.
Eddie Nketiah went close with a neat backheel after meeting Cedric’s cross as Arsenal searched for a response, before Saka almost picked out the top-right corner after cutting in from the right on the hour.
Forster made his second stunning save in the 73rd minute, getting down to his left to turn substitute Emile Smith Rowe’s fierce volley away from the corner.
He then denied Saka and Granit Xhaka in the final 10 minutes as Arsenal’s season threatens to spiral downwards.
Having emerged as favourites for a top-four finish after making an excellent start to 2022, Mikel Arteta’s team have suffered three consecutive defeats for the first time since August, when they lost their opening three games of the season.
That slump sees them trail Spurs by three points, with next month’s north London derby looking likely to prove decisive in the battle for Champions League football.
However, a win for Manchester United elsewhere on Saturday means the Red Devils are now above Arsenal on goal difference.
Bednarek (44′)
