Earlier this week, Andrew Mangan from Arseblog explored the less angry, if not muted, reaction to Arsenal’s defeat by Manchester United. It’s worth thinking about this collective psychological shift as Arsenal prepare to visit Southampton on Sunday.
Although I have disagreed with Andrew from time to time, in general I find him a thoughtful, measured, and articulate observer of the club. I would certainly trust his read on the mindset of Arsenal supporters online.
So when he notes that – apart from those outlets that traffic in outrage – the reaction to Saturday’s home loss was “less acute,” that seems like a reasonable statement about a changing mentality.
He goes on to speculate about the reasons for this change: A combination of Manchester City’s breakaway form, “weary resignation” or apathy over past perceived failures, fatigue with what some view as the same story unfolding, anticipation of the end of manager Arsène Wenger's era.
All could be true.
What I’ll say is that whatever the source, this represents a healthy turn. The vitriol of yore certainly didn’t do the Arsenal players any service – all the research on sports psychology indicates that a supportive environment is one of the elements grounding elite athletes’ success.
What’s more, I don’t think it’s particularly functional for those up in arms, either. We are talking about a sporting endeavor here, something that’s supposed to be at least entertaining and at most enjoyable. Individuals don’t survive very long hating what they should be enjoying.
In that light, for the love of Bergkamp, please try to find something to relish about the Gunners’ encounter with the Saints on Sunday.
We probably have the genius of Mesut Özil and the superhuman drive of Alexis Sanchez for a short amount of time, so take pleasure in what they do. We haven’t seen a striker like Alexandre Lacazette at Arsenal in a good while; watch his movement and guile. We’re blessed with one of the world’s top all-around midfielders – do yourself a favor and be amazed at the skill and stamina of Aaron Ramsey.
If you’re also, like myself, interested in the interactions of the complex organism that is a professional football side, take a few minutes during the match to focus on the interplay among Özil, Ramsey, and Granit Xhaka. The understanding of space, the timing, the skill, and the synchronization of movement by these three are a joy to behold.
It’s a human endeavor, though, which means it won’t be perfect and may not meet our expectations. Accepting that fact may, indeed should, reduce the emotional stakes. All the better.
Trends to Watch
Center half Shkodran Mustafi won’t play due to a thigh strain. Until the self-destruction against Manchester United, Mustafi was part of a defensive trio that had not lost a match.
Will the manager replace Mustafi with a member of the squad, Per Mertesacker, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers, or will he restructure the defense as a back four? He did that in the no-risk setting of Thursday’s Europa League contest with BATE Borisov. As a consequence, the flow through midfield was noticeable.
Such a setup would also be a way to reintroduce Jack Wilshere to the Premier League XI. Wilshere can’t do much more to prove he’s worthy of a league start than he’s done in his cup outings.
The guess here is that, away from home less than 72 hours after the previous match, Wenger sticks with three central defenders and goes with Mertesacker in the middle.
How the Match Plays Out
Southampton took the imperious Manchester City to the brink of a draw in midweek last week, so the going won’t be easy for Arsenal. Despite their less-than-prolific goalscoring record this season, Saints can feature Charlie Austin again up front. The former QPR man has troubled the Gunners in the past.
But midfield is the key to this one. Arsenal set the platform there to permit the attacking talent to thrive; this happens on Sunday, giving one of the Gunners’ relentless attackers enough support to find the Southampton net.
Players to Watch
Arsenal. Mesut Özil. The German is in the top form of his Arsenal stay, just as his contract winds down. Watch and cherish his wizardry while you can.
Southampton. Oriol Romeu. Southampton’s noteworthy performances in recent years have come when the Spaniard has ruled the midfield. If he dominates that crucial area the way he can, Saints will have a foundation to trouble Arsenal.
Arsenal’s fourth-round FA Cup tie with Southampton provides an
opportunity for the Gunners to change their fortunes at St. Mary’s.
Southampton’s
home ground has been less than kind to Arsenal: The Gunners have not
won there in 13 years and have just two wins in eight visits to the
Saints’ home since 2001.
You might think karma doesn’t look great
for Saturday’s trip, either. After all, Southampton approaches this
matchup on a real high, having beaten Liverpool away on Wednesday to
advance to the EFL Cup Final at Wembley.
The Saints produced an
impressive display of defending and counterattacking at Anfield, a game
plan that could trouble Arsenal as well. They also carry confidence that
they can overcome the Gunners from their 2-0 win in the previous round
of the EFL Cup.
However, this match could unfold in quite a
different fashion. First of all, the midweek win at Liverpool came at a
cost. Already suffering from multiple injuries, Southampton lost
starting midfielder James Ward-Prowse to a chest injury and center
forward Jay Rodriguez to an ankle problem.
That could be a symptom
of another problem, a cramped schedule that will see the Saints play
nine matches in the month of January. Arsenal will have played two
fewer.
And while Southampton loses players to the treatment table,
Arsenal enjoys returns from injury absences. Forward Danny Welbeck has
eased his way back to match fitness with three substitute appearances
this month, fullback Hector Bellerin is ready again after a second
injury layoff, and forward Theo Walcott returns after almost six weeks
out.
As a result, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has options and depth that Southampton manager Claude Puel doesn’t share.
Where
Wenger’s choices are more restricted, though, is in central midfield.
Only two first-team central midfielders, Francis Coquelin and Aaron
Ramsey, are available. With Granit Xhaka serving the first of a
four-game suspension and Mohammed Elneny still at the Africa Cup of
Nations for at least another week, Wenger will have to weigh the risks
of sending out his last remaining charges in that area.
The risk appears heightened with two crucial Premier League encounters next week.
Mitigating
that risk would mean tapping a young player for an important role.
Wenger has identified Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, and
Alex Iwobi, the eldest of that trio at 20, as his backup options.
One
does wonder where this leaves Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has
occasionally taken a more central role with some distinction. Perhaps
more definitively as a wide attacking midfielder, where he’s enjoyed his
most productive season since joining Arsenal from Southampton.
Will he get the nod there again over Welbeck, Lucas Perez, Iwobi, and Alexis Sanchez?
Whatever
the selection in more forward areas, Arsenal’s players should have the
quality to trouble the Southampton defense bereft of its early-season
starting duo of José Fonte and Virgil Van Dijk. The former left the
South Coast for West Ham, while the latter is one of the Saints’ many
infirm.
The question, as ever with cup ties, is will the Arsenal
team have enough cohesion and motivation to overcome a determined
opponent on home turf. The Gunners did—just—in their third-round visit
to Preston North End. The answer will need to be more definitive to
modify their St. Mary’s mojo on Saturday.
Key Matchup
Shane
Long against Arsenal’s central defenders. The Irishman, who scored the
tie-clincher in Southampton’s 1-0 win on Wednesday, is a pesky opponent.
He’s a master of the sly nudge. Long’s misses in the two teams’ league
encounter kept the door open for Arsenal’s late victory, and whoever
Wenger selects in defense will need to keep Long out of those
threatening positions.
Where to Worry
With
a relatively untested partnership in central midfield, Arsenal might
struggle to establish any kind of flow. That’s a bigger concern in this
match because Southampton is adept at disrupting the opposition’s
progress in midfield. If Arsenal don’t reach quick understandings in
midfield and elsewhere—as we’ve seen other mix-and-match lineups suffer
from—the attack could really sputter.
Match Verdict
Another
cagey, difficult affair could await. Southampton will try to compensate
for fatigue and a depleted roster by keeping the Gunners at arm’s
length. Arsenal will need to call on patience and persistence again.
Players to Watch
Arsenal. Danny Welbeck.
The England man gets his first start since last May. He’s come close to
scoring in two of his three substitute appearances this month and has
the speed and power to get away from Southampton’s makeshift back line.
Southampton. Oriol Romeu.
Southampton’s defensive midfielder was the standout performer in his
team’s semifinal clincher at Anfield. He seemed to know where Liverpool
was heading before Liverpool’s players did. Similarly adept
interceptions and tackles on Saturday will frustrate Arsenal.
