Saturday September 15, 2012 Day 4 Finished Emirates Stadium

Arsenal 6 - 1 Southampton

  • Hooiveld 11’ (o.g.)
  • Podolski 31’
  • Gervinho 35’, 71’
  • Clyne 38’ (o.g.)
  • Walcott 88’
  • Fox 45’

116 comments | Write your comment

  1. Arsenal put six past Southampton

    Arsenal put six past Southampton

    Arsenal benefitted from two own goals and saw Gervinho score twice as they hammered Southampton 6-1 at Emirates Stadium. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Arsenal
    • Southampton
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • - What did you make of Arsenal's performance? Let me know on Twitter! Follow Tom Adams on Twitter
    • 90+3' FULL TIME With just seconds remaining, Oxlade-Chamberlain drives a low shot wide. But that will do Arsenal. A 6-1 victory for the North London side that puts them third in the table.
    • 90+2' Still Arsenal push for more and the influential Cazorla plays in Giroud, who just can't get a shot away.
    • 90+1' We will have two added minutes.
    • 90' Ward-Prowse picks out Puncheon with a lovely pass and the forward finds space before forcing Szczesny into a save with his left boot. Corner to Saints and Yoshida tries an overhead kick from Ramirez's delivery.
    • 88' GOAL! Arsenal 6-1 Southampton! Walcott against his former club and he doesn't celebrate, which is nice. It is Vermaelen with the initial attempt that is saved by Davis but after Southampton fail to clear, Walcott tucks the shot away.
    • 87' Stat from Infostrada: "Arsenal have scored five PL goals at home for the first time in seven months, since the 5-2 victory over Tottenham in February. Their last home win by four or more goals was 7-1 v Blackburn on February 4."
    • 85' Ramirez looks bright again and cuts in from the left to drill a low shot wide of the post.
    • 83' Cazorla releases Walcott with a fine pass into the right channel but the winger delays too long to find Giroud and instead fails to play in Oxlade-Chamberlain with a low cross.
    • 81' A rather wild effort from Oxlade-Chamberlain as he turns onto his right boot and lashes a shot past the far post.
    • 79' The two subs look to combine. Walcott, playing on the right with the Ox switched to the left, sees an attempted cross for Giroud deflected behind for a corner.
    • 77' A change for Saints as Jay Rodriguez replaces Lambert in attack.
    • 76' A corner is floated out to Ramsey but he fails to do a Scholes and sends his volley high over the bar.
    • 75' Walcott and Giroud come on to replace Gervinho and Podolski.
    • 74' Chance for Arsenal! Arteta plays a first-time pass to Oxlade-Chamberlain and the midfielder's drive is tipped round the post by a fine save from Davis.
    • 72' Arsenal's response is to make a couple of changes and Giroud and Theo Walcott are getting ready now.
    • 71' GOAL! Arsenal 5-1 Southampton! Cazorla plays in Ramsey with a glorious pass off the outside of his right boot. Ramsey does well to hold off Clyne and pokes a shot past Davis. It comes off the post though and Gervinho is on hand to slot the ball home.
    • 70' Oh dear. Szczesny with another awful clearance. Ramirez takes possession and tries to play in Puncheon on the right, but the forward cannot get the ball under control. A let-off for Arsenal.
    • 69' Ramsey quickly wins a free kick near the byline on the left and Cazorla whips one in close to the keeper. However, Davis punches clear for Saints.
    • 68' Here is the change and Ramsey does indeed replace Coquelin in midfield.
    • 67' Now Puncheon drives a volley high over the bar from 20 yards. Nice again from Southampton.
    • 66' An awful clearance from Szczesny as Puncheon takes possession and Southampton settle into a passing rhythm. You could never tell they are the team that are 4-1 down.
    • 65' Arsenal are getting Aaron Ramsey ready. He will presumably come on for Coquelin.
    • 64' Gibbs and Cazorla are pushed into emergency action as Ward-Prowse and Puncheon threaten to open up the home defence. Arsenal firmly on the back foot at the moment.
    • 63' Cazorla floats a pass out wide to Gervinho, who this time is in the left channel. His first few touches are good but then Gervinho gets the ball stuck under his feet. That's more what we have come to expect from the Ivorian.
    • 62' More pressure from Southampton but this time Szczesny claims a cross from Fox with Clyne in attendance.
    • 61' Lambert is much more in the game now and the big striker leaps above Gibbs to meet a cross from the left and heads the ball off target. This is more encouraging for the visitors.
    • 60' But here come Arsenal again. Oxlade-Chamberlain wreaks havoc with a low cross, Cazorla then only just narrowly fails to find a red shirt with another cross, before Gervinho gives Ward-Prowse the slip with a clever turn and sees his cross deflected behind.
    • 58' That is much more encouraging for Southampton, and Ramirez has already looked influential.
    • 57' Southampton go close! Ramirez drags a shot well wide, so far wide in fact that it finds Lambert arriving at the back post. He slides in to meet the ball but sends it wide of the far post.
    • 56' Cazorla takes possession of the ball near the centre circle and tries to lift a pass into the right channel for Gervinho. However, Yoshida does well to marshal the Arsenal man away from the ball.
    • 54' Ramirez is playing off lone striker Lambert, who hardly had a sniff of things in the first half but has already scored against Manchester City and Manchester United this season.
    • 52' Stat from Opta: "Arsenal recovered more points from winning positions than any other team in the 2011-12 Premier League (24)."
    • 50' Oxlade-Chamberlain darts into the box in an attempt to cause some damage but is crowded out.
    • 49' A first chance for Ramirez as he collects the ball 20 yards from goal and curls a low effort at goal with his left boot. Szczesny smothers the ball though.
    • 48' Jenkinson tries to play in Gervinho but Yoshida comes across to see the ball out.
    • 47' It looks as though Ramirez will be lining up on the left of midfield and cutting in for now. He is a gifted playmaker who plays between the lines.
    • 46' Southampton have made a change with Gaston Ramirez on for his debut in place of Davis. He is a very exciting player, the Uruguayan.
    • 46' KICK OFF!
    • - What did you make of the first half? Let me know on Twitter now. Follow Tom Adams on Twitter!
    • 45+3' HALF TIME. Arsenal in complete control, thanks in part to two own goals, but Saints pulled one back right at the end.
    • 45+2' Gervinho lays the ball off to Oxlade-Chamberlain but his shot is horrid, weak and wide. Ironic cheers from the supporters of his former club.
    • 45+1' We will have two added minutes.
    • 45' GOAL! Arsenal 4-1 Southampton! Arsenal concede for the first time this season and it is a howler from Szczesny. He fumbles a cross from Clyne from the right and Daniel Fox capitalises by driving a shot home from eight yards out.
    • 44' Mertesacker is still up in the penalty area and gets on the end of a cross from Gibbs before heading off target. You know you are struggling when Mertesacker looks a genuine goal threat.
    • 42' Mertesacker tries to flick a header at goal following a cross from Cazorla but can't get the necessary angle to trouble Davis in the Southampton goal.
    • 40' Stat from Infostrada: "Gervinho scored his fifth PL goal, and first in 2012. His last came in the 1-1 home draw with Wolves in December 2011."
    • 39' A rare chance for Southampton as Puncheon comes forward and drags a shot wide. Southampton must be so disconsolate right now though.
    • 38' GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Southampton! This is turning into a rout. Gervinho plays the ball out wide to Gibbs and his attempted cross is turned past his own keeper by Clyne.
    • 36' Nice defending from Jenkinson as he deals with a difficult situation well when heading away at the back post. This has been a fantastic performance from the home side so far.
    • 35' GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Southampton! Gervinho makes a darting run from the right and Arteta spots him, producing a dinked pass in for the forward. He takes a touch and then displays the kind of composure that has eluded him for much of his Arsenal career when hammering the ball home.
    • 34' Stat from Infostrada: "It is two years since Arsenal lost a PL home match after leading – 3-2 to Tottenham in November 2010."
    • 33' Jason Puncheon tries to spin on the edge of the box and get a shot away but Vermaelen is on hand to block as Arsenal deal with the threat too easily.
    • 32' It's fair to say Podolski hasn't taken much time to settle into English football. He looks a superb signing for Arsenal.
    • 31' GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Southampton! Lukas Podolski gets his second goal in two games! The free kick is absolutely sublime from the German as he curls the ball over the wall from 25 yards out. Davis should have done better in goal but it's a fine hit.
    • 30' Corner to Arsenal but Southampton clear from the delivery from Cazorla. Davis then brings down Coquelin with a clumsy challenge to give Arsenal a free kick in a decent position...
    • 28' A change for Southampton as Hooiveld is forced off due to injury to complete a horrible afternoon. Maya Yoshida comes on for his debut for Southampton.
    • 27' Now Jose Fonte has to intervene after Gervinho takes advantage of a mistake from Morgan Schneiderlin and plays in Podolski to the left.
    • 26' Podolski and Cazorla combine well again - they really are striking up a fine partnership - but Clyne produces a good challenge on the Spanish playmaker.
    • 25' Gervinho is looking very lively and after collecting the ball to the right of the pitch he checks inside and tries to bend one inside the far post. His effort flies wide.
    • 24' Cazorla's close control really is glorious. He combines with Podolski a couple of times before feeding Gibbs left, and Gervinho, the unlikely central striker, heads over.
    • 22' Lallana places Jenkinson under pressure by the near touchline but the right-back holds him off befroe playing the ball back to Szczesny. Jenkinson does that a lot.
    • 21' Stat from Opta: "Southampton have dropped the most points from winning positions this season (6)."
    • 20' A wonderful move from Arsenal culminates with Podolski playing a neat pass in for Gervinho. He tries a shot from a tight angle but his effort is deflected behind for a corner. Davis flaps at the delivery but then makes a good save when Coquelin chips the ball back in and Mertesacker gets a firm head to the ball.
    • 19' Coquelin tries to spin around a pass from Jenkinson to shield the ball but is brought to ground by Steven Davis. A clear foul, but Southampton soon regain possession.
    • 17' This is a bit better from Southampton now. They are getting foot on ball and knocking it around a bit. They needed to stem the flow of Arsenal attacks somehow.
    • 15' Stat from Infostrada: "Jos Hooiveld scored an own goal. Arsenal benefited from an own goal for the first time since February 4 (v Blackburn), and for only the third time in the last two years."
    • 14' A brief moment of respite for Southampton as they win a corner, but Arsenal stand firm and head the ball away. Credit to Steve Bould: Arsenal have been far better drilled at the back since he became Wenger's assistant.
    • 13' The barrage continues. Now Francis Coquelin sees a shot blocked from 30 yards or so. Southampton are getting the run around here - they just can't cope with Arsenal's movement or use of the ball. It's been comprehensive.
    • 12' Now Gervinho snakes his way through the Southampton defence and hits the byline, as he loves to do. His ball for Cazorla doesn't find the Spaniard though.
    • 11' GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Southampton! Fantastic determination from Podolski as he is floored but gets up to win the ball again and charges forward before slipping in Kieran Gibbs with a fine pass. Gibbs takes a low shot and the ball pops up off Davis and against Hooiveld, who knocks it over the line. OG.
    • 9' Podolski and Gervinho get in a muddle in the box when the ball rolls their way and neither gets a shot away. Mikel Arteta then follows up but his effort is blocked. Arsenal are dominant at present, piling pressure on the away side.
    • 8' Oxlade-Chamberlain again makes progress on the right following a slack piece of play from Adam Lallana, who found himself in the England squad this week. However, Southampton deal with the cross.
    • 7' Stat from Opta: "The Gunners have won none of their last four Premier League home games. The last time they went five without a win on home soil was in 1995 in the run up to George Graham’s sacking."
    • 6' A quick tactical note: Gervinho is playing through the centre and is nominally the central forward - a role he adopted in pre-season, but it still comes as a surprise with Podolski out left.
    • 5' Now the deluge continues as Oxlade-Chamberlain finds acres of space on the right and flings in a low cross to the penalty spot when Santi Cazorla can't connect cleanly. Arsenal well on top at present.
    • 4' Now Podolski is sent sprawling in the box as he attempts to get in front of his man to meet a cut-back from Gervinho from the right. However, he lost his balance rather than being brought to ground. No penalty.
    • 3' Arsenal's first attempt of the afternoon sees Lukas Podolski drive in a shot from 25 yards. Kelvin Davis fumbles but claims the ball at the second attempt. They like a shot from range at the Emirates.
    • 2' Southampton make headway through the centre and youngster James Ward-Prosw tries to get a shot away but can't collect cleanly. He looked very bright against United.
    • 1' Carl Jenkinson plays a backpass to Szczesny and, perhaps rusty after missing a couple of games, the keeper makes a mess of his attempted clearance upfield.
    • 1' KICK OFF!
    • 14:57 Stat from Infostrada: "Arsenal’s starting line up has an average age of 24 years and 266 days old – the youngest of any team in the division this season. It is Arsenal’s youngest since January 2 (when they lost at Fulham with a team aged 24 years and 258 days old)."
    • 14:55 If you want to let me know what you think of today's game then you can get in contact on Twitter if you are into that sort of thing. Follow Tom Adams on Twitter!
    • 14:50 So Olivier Giroud starts on the bench today, but if he gets on he could join an impressive collective of Arsenal strikers who scored their first Premier League goals against Southampton. The exclusive club includes Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie.
    • 14:45 Time for some stats from Opta: "Southampton have allowed their opponents more shots on target against them than any other team (19). Arsenal have allowed their opponents the joint-fewest shots on target in the Premier League (7). Rickie Lambert has scored against both Man Utd and Man City this season. Only Defoe and Crouch managed this in the PL 11/12. "
    • 14:40 On the flip side, they haven't started the season with three clean sheets since 1924-25, so that's more of a positive angle to Arsenal's opening few games. Actually they have looked rather good, Santi Cazorla in particular impressing as he has filled the creative gap lacking since the loss of Cesc Fabregas over a year ago to Barcelona.
    • 14:35 Stat from Infostrada: "Arsenal failed to score in their opening PL home match of the season. If they fail to score today it will equal their top flight record of failing to net in each of their first two home matches – previously set in 1976 and 1979."
    • 14:30 Southampton's deadline day signing from Bologna, Gaston Ramirez, is on the bench following his shock £12m move. Fellow new signing Maya Yoshida is also in line to make his debut from the bench. Otherwise Southampton are unchanged from the side that lost 3-2 to Manchester United in a thriller last time out.
    • 14:25 TEAMS: Arsenal, Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Coquelin, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Gervinho, Podolski. Subs: Mannone, Koscielny, Santos, Ramsey, Walcott, Arshavin, Giroud. /// Southampton: Davis, Clyne, Hooiveld, Fonte, Fox, Schneiderlin, Davis, Ward-Prowse, Lallana, Puncheon, Lambert. Subs: Gazzaniga, Yoshida, Richardson, Ramirez, Chaplow, Rodriguez, Mayuka.
    • 14:20 We will have full teams with you shortly but the main news is that Olivier Giroud has been dropped by Arsenal, with Lukas Podolski moving to a central role and Gervinho coming into the attack. Wojciech Szczesny also returns for Arsenal for Vito Mannone and Francis Coquelin replaces Abou Diaby, who sustained an injury on international duty with France.
    • 14:15 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Premier League tie between Arsenal and Southampton. The Gunners are looking to make it four clean sheets in four against the Premier League's bottom club.

  • Summary

    • 88' GOAL! Arsenal 6-1 Southampton! Walcott against his former club and he doesn't celebrate, which is nice. It is Vermaelen with the initial attempt that is saved by Davis but after Southampton fail to clear, Walcott tucks the shot away.
    • 85' Ramirez looks bright again and cuts in from the left to drill a low shot wide of the post.
    • 74' Chance for Arsenal! Arteta plays a first-time pass to Oxlade-Chamberlain and the midfielder's drive is tipped round the post by a fine save from Davis.
    • 71' GOAL! Arsenal 5-1 Southampton! Cazorla plays in Ramsey with a glorious pass off the outside of his right boot. Ramsey does well to hold off Clyne and pokes a shot past Davis. It comes off the post though and Gervinho is on hand to slot the ball home.
    • 70' Oh dear. Szczesny with another awful clearance. Ramirez takes possession and tries to play in Puncheon on the right, but the forward cannot get the ball under control. A let-off for Arsenal.
    • 60' But here come Arsenal again. Oxlade-Chamberlain wreaks havoc with a low cross, Cazorla then only just narrowly fails to find a red shirt with another cross, before Gervinho gives Ward-Prowse the slip with a clever turn and sees his cross deflected behind.
    • 57' Southampton go close! Ramirez drags a shot well wide, so far wide in fact that it finds Lambert arriving at the back post. He slides in to meet the ball but sends it wide of the far post.
    • 45' GOAL! Arsenal 4-1 Southampton! Arsenal concede for the first time this season and it is a howler from Szczesny. He fumbles a cross from Clyne from the right and Daniel Fox capitalises by driving a shot home from eight yards out.
    • 38' GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Southampton! This is turning into a rout. Gervinho plays the ball out wide to Gibbs and his attempted cross is turned past his own keeper by Clyne.
    • 35' GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Southampton! Gervinho makes a darting run from the right and Arteta spots him, producing a dinked pass in for the forward. He takes a touch and then displays the kind of composure that has eluded him for much of his Arsenal career when hammering the ball home.
    • 31' GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Southampton! Lukas Podolski gets his second goal in two games! The free kick is absolutely sublime from the German as he curls the ball over the wall from 25 yards out. Davis should have done better in goal but it's a fine hit.
    • 20' A wonderful move from Arsenal culminates with Podolski playing a neat pass in for Gervinho. He tries a shot from a tight angle but his effort is deflected behind for a corner. Davis flaps at the delivery but then makes a good save when Coquelin chips the ball back in and Mertesacker gets a firm head to the ball.
    • 11' GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Southampton! Fantastic determination from Podolski as he is floored but gets up to win the ball again and charges forward before slipping in Kieran Gibbs with a fine pass. Gibbs takes a low shot and the ball pops up off Davis and against Hooiveld, who knocks it over the line. OG.
    • 14:25 TEAMS: Arsenal, Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Coquelin, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Gervinho, Podolski. Subs: Mannone, Koscielny, Santos, Ramsey, Walcott, Arshavin, Giroud. /// Southampton: Davis, Clyne, Hooiveld, Fonte, Fox, Schneiderlin, Davis, Ward-Prowse, Lallana, Puncheon, Lambert. Subs: Gazzaniga, Yoshida, Richardson, Ramirez, Chaplow, Rodriguez, Mayuka.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      7 5
      Defenders
      7.8 6
      7.6 7
      8.4 6
      8.5 8
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out67′ 7.7 6
      8.4 7
      8 6
      9.2 8
      Goal Substitution Out75′ 9.1 8
      Strikers
      Goals ×2 Substitution Out75′ 8.9 9
      Subs
      Substitution In75′ Goal 7.3 7
      Substitution In75′ 7.1 6
      Substitution In67′ 7.8 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      3.7 5
      Defenders
      Own Goal 2.7 6
      Own Goal Substitution Out28′ 3 4
      3.1 5
      Goal 3.8 5
      Midfielders
      3.5 6
      Substitution Out45′ 3.3 5
      4.4 6
      3.8 5
      3.9 5
      Strikers
      Substitution Out76′ 4.3 5
      Subs
      Substitution In76′ 3.3 5
      Substitution In28′ 5.4 5
      Substitution In45′ 5.4 6

Comment 96 - 116 of 116

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  1. Just simple thing to say;;;;AW is real professor­ ARSENAL is real young perfect team...to rvp please play­ calmly in united let us show the perfect game to­ everybody with or without you bravo gunners...

    From Yanuar, on Tue 18 Sep 6:07

  2. I am not a Southampton fan and I am so glad that you­ had your arses kicked

    From Dave H, on Mon 17 Sep 23:25

  3. that how start the season2012/2013

    From Talla Clovis, on Mon 17 Sep 17:29

  4. it was fantastic win, what incredible start for­ arsenal!

    From Ardana, on Sun 16 Sep 18:23

  5. Good game guys...gunners 4 life

    From Cheung LEUNG, on Sun 16 Sep 7:13

  6. is this the same Southampton that give m.u hard time­ last 2 week ?

    From a, on Sun 16 Sep 0:59

  7. just watched the highlights,goodbye na­ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From KIM, on Sat 15 Sep 22:33

  8. Are these the same two-faced arsenal fans who were­ calling for the sacking of Arsene wenger. You­ #$%$ers!!!

    From no-one-is-no-one, on Sat 15 Sep 22:32

  9. Southampton are #$%$

    From Femz, on Sat 15 Sep 21:18

  10. RVP -- WHO ?

    From Patrick, on Sat 15 Sep 19:29

  11. southampton will fight back soon

    From haidar ali s, on Sat 15 Sep 18:59

  12. Good game from the gunners.. Weldone guys..

    From Michael, on Sat 15 Sep 18:57

  13. The result probably flattered Arsenal, but what did us­ was 3 goals in 7 minutes. We gave the ball away too­ easily after a reasonable start and Lambert was left­ up front on his own without proper support. The­ substitutions were too late, but Ramirez looks a class­ act and almost set up Lambert, who reacted but was­ unlucky. Sad to see how well Walcott and Chamberlain­ played for Arsenal and think of what could have been if­ we could have kept them. I'm pleased for them and­ for Wenger who doesn't always get the credit he­ deserves for what he has created at the Emirates.­ Arsenal look an excellent side this season; even better­ than United or City. We have played 3 of the 4 best­ sides in the country and we were not espected to beat­ any of them. This was the worst first half we have­ played for some time; we looked better in the second­ half, but credit to Arsenal for going on to get 2 more.­ A lot of sides would have eased up, but this Arsenal­ side are full of class, apart from the goalkeeper. Now­ our season starts, but the pressure is on us to beat­ Villa next week; that's a must win game. We must­ forget about losing our first 4 games, but learn from­ the lessons we have been given. We won't play such­ good sides for a few weeks, but we must defend better­ and track opposing players quicker.

    From Richard, on Sat 15 Sep 18:39

  14. Good grief, saints handed their arses on a plate to the­ goonies - arses to the arsea'nal, a bit like that­ last west brom game when the keeper (marton fulop)­ contrived to gift goals to them

    From ispurs, on Sat 15 Sep 18:35

  15. Soton should've have played Mayuka

    From Kapunga Shams, on Sat 15 Sep 18:29

  16. Now we are talking come on u Gooners

    From leo, on Sat 15 Sep 17:30

  17. GREAT JOB

    From tosine, on Sat 15 Sep 17:26

  18. Could someone please remind me who rvp is again. I seem­ to have completely forgot based on this performance.

    From Jibuike, on Sat 15 Sep 17:11

  19. Looks like Saints need a goalkeeper fast. Have not seen­ this performance but he made two awful mistakes two­ weeks ago.You cant make mistakes like that in the Prem­ and get away with it . Overall Saints have to do much­ better than this to stay up. I know its early days yet­ and they have played all but one against the top teams­ but they still need to perform better if they are going­ to stay in the top flight. Sincereley hope they do­ though so come on you Saints,get it together.

    From john c, on Sat 15 Sep 17:06

  20. i know that its always arsenal

    From Annir, on Sat 15 Sep 17:00
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