Arsene Wenger has praised his side for keeping a clean sheet against a high-flying Southampton side today, and goalscorer Olivier Giroud for his contribution to the team’s performance.
The Gunners have conceded just once in their last four games, keeping three clean sheets into the process, and the Arsenal manager is pleased with the defensive improvement.
“We have improved our defensive stability,” he said. “After an international break you have always two challenges, one is to get the team to focus again as a team because we have been spread all over the world, and you have very little time to get the focus point right.
“The second is physical, because they all come back in different levels of fatigue, some have not trained a lot.
“The first point we got right, the team were highly focused, we suffered a bit physically but overall the concentration was there.”
And on two-goal Olivier Giroud, who got his 9th and 10th goals of the season, the boss was quick to praise his all-round performance as well as the two strikes.
“Olivier is a positive character who is always ready for a battle. He is maybe a little bit different to the rest of the team.
“He gives us so much with his physical presence, with his link play which he has improved tremendously. He has the mental qualities and a positive attitude.
“Other strikers will tell you ‘I am not obsessed by scoring goals’ but if they don’t, they are sick! It is a relief on their shoulders. I believe as well that he didn’t expect himself to score so many from the start of the season, but it can only boost his confidence.”
Giroud <3
Southampton started defending in our box absolutely destroying our usual processes and we adapted quickly using the fullbacks wide on the wings as our outlet and just got stuck in. Arsene has got his mojo back. We got a bit of luck for a change and we are top of the league still. Never flustered always in control.
And on whether he warned Scezney about making Boruc-type mistakes, he smiled and said “yes I told him to kick it to me”. I lolled!
It must be maddening to be a defender up against HFB. Everytime you think you have the ball, he winks that wonderful smile of his, and jumps above you while you stand mesmerised.
Unleash the Lanvin suit!
That ‘bin bag’ Arsene wears has no place in the team.
HFB and Szczesny were by far my favourites this match, followed by Per, Sagna and Gibbs. Generally rock solid play by the defense, and a good offensive game, too!
Carlos Vela scored 4 goals today.
We have a 4 million buy-back clause on him.
Depends on the player’s agreement and I doubt he’d want to come back
Secondly, he’s in the Theo Walcott vein so his purchase solves nothing
We want Carl Vela back… We want Carl Vela back…
Arsene looking like a don ^
10/10 for him.. He is so important to team. He is making defensive clearances, taking defenders on, making chances, scoring goals,etc. All that in one game. Incredible.
Giroud was immense today. Not only did he score but he contributed at both ends of the pitch. He is so good in the air. If only we could get better crosses in for him. The team looked solid through. 4 points clear but lets take it game by game.
We have a buy back clause for Vela…..
I think we might have a but back clause for vela.
Giroud even won the corner that led to the penalty.
Fire Wenger. He doesn’t know what he is doing.
Clearly we have been riding our luck for the past 12 games.
😀
I know people weren’t impressed by Santi but I think he had a decent game. He might not be looking sharp but he always does something so cool at least once or twice that you again fall in love again with him. Like that beautiful beautiful pass to Ramsey inside the box or nutmegging two defenders and he lost the ball in the final third. He gave a frustrated reaction then the next thing I see something running back towards our box at rocket speed to get the ball back. He ll be back soon. Keep faith. We ll get… Read more »
Hey guys, is it true we have a buy-back clause for Vela?
Let’s buy back Vela and then sell him for £25 mil to Barca.
We are absolutely joy to watch,all the players did their best against Southampton,though we were a bit sloppy sometimes,what’s needed is 3 vital points and we nicked it,so bravo,still on top!On Vela,sure let’s buy him back for £4M and sell him to Barca in 2 years for £25M,,,,,,let’s go there,,COYG,,,,,I am YGS…..Mr Gunnerlised!
How many of vela’s 4 goals were chips over the keeper?
I didn’t see much of Ozil in the match
Good performance from the gunners though not close to their best