2023-04-21 21:06:26
The game: 3-3
Arsenal did not perform well over the weekend, but the Gunners have heart. In this clash of extremes between the leader and the red lantern of the Premier League, Southampton has long believed to create the sensation, this Friday, at the Emirates Stadium. But the Saints might not resist the burst of pride of the leaders (3-3), thanks to two achievements at the end of the match from Martin Odegaard (88th) and Bukayo Saka (90th).
Manchester City’s breath in the back of Arsenal’s neck had intensified last week. On April 16, the Gunners dropped two points once morest West Ham (2-2) and let City return to four units from the top of the standings, with one game less. No one knows if the shadow of the Citizens caused the evils of Arsenal this Friday evening, but it is clear that the men of Arteta delivered their worst start of the season.
Latecomers will not even have had time to earn their place. After 26 short seconds, the disaster scenario unfolded before the eyes of stunned supporters. On his first ball, Aaron Ramsdale missed his recovery in the axis and offered on a plateau the opener to Carlos Alcaraz (1-0, 1st). The amazement of the Emirates then turned into amazement when the Saints doubled the bet. This time in a passing role, the Spaniard progressed with the ball before launching Walcott. Number 32, who spent twelve years in north London, crossed his strike and made the break (2-0, 14th).
Arsenal can say thank you to Saka
As often, the response from the locals came from both sides. Served in space by Odegaard, Saka overflowed on his right side then hastened to center back. Gabriel Martinelli then put his people back in the match with a powerful volley (2-1, 26th).
The rhythm of the match then raced over the minutes. And following multiple occasions, the end of the first act leaned more towards a game of pool. The Gunners stormed the opposing box, but the Southampton players were still well placed to counter the leader’s attempts. It was also Alcaraz who saved Ben White’s header on his line (45th + 3).
The disaster seemed well and truly confirmed when Duje Caleta-Car catapulted a header at the far post (3-1, 66th), but the resilience of Arsenal still offered an end to the game that came close to the American blockbuster. The curling strike from Martin Odegaard (3-2, 88th) woke up his people, then Saka’s goal made the stadium exult (3-3, 90th). Arsenal avoided the worst with panache. But the dynamic is not glorious, the threat of City has never been so present.
3
Arsenal have only taken three points out of a possible nine in the last three meetings in the Championship. At the same time, City remain on six Premier League wins in a row.
The fact: a glorious comeback, but is it enough?
Arsenal, like once morest Aston Villa on February 18 (4-2), overturned a badly embarked match. The determination of the players is something to admire, but the pragmatism reminds us that these are indeed two points lost. And if the performance of the offensives is encouraging, that of the hinge is less convincing. In this sector, the Gunners will have to be more impermeable, at the risk of paying dearly once morest City.
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