Arsene Wenger said his side delivered a well-organised performance as second half goals from Alexis and substitute Olivier Giroud helped Arsenal to a 2-0 win against Southampton – the Gunners third win of the season against Claude Puel’s men.
Here’s what the boss had to say after the game when he faced the cameras…
On the win…
I’m very pleased. We had a consistent performance from the first to the last minute. We were dynamic, quick going forward, well-organised. It was a difficult game, we expected it, but overall, in the second half we could score the goals. We did not in the first half but then we created more space.
Overall, it was a convincing win. We had some chances as well in the first half. It was a very even game. In the second half I felt that we took over and created many opportunities to score.
On Alexis’s performance…
That’s Alexis, you know. He’s a player who never gives up. He’s always tricky to stop, very good in short space and in the box. Once he has the ball in the box he’s dangerous. He always scores during the game, He’s always a bit a slow starter who gets stronger and stronger.
On Giroud scoring off the bench again…
He has been amazing for us. It’s difficult for me at the moment as it’s between Welbeck and Giroud. Both of them played well, both of them have great team spirit. I’m always harsh with the one who doesn’t play.
On finishing in the top four…
We know what we want to achieve, we can just focus on our next game now.
On Oxlade-Chamberlain’s injury…
He has done his hamstring. How bad it is, I don’t know.
I enjoyed this win even more than against United. COYG
I sure hope the Ox is okay, he’s been our best player the last month or so.
Hope to Bergkamp that Ox’s season isn’t done….
Well l, according to the Bergkampian calendar, today is new year.
Best of luck everyone, most of all The Ox.
Really nice to beat one of our bogey away teams 2-0. Now another 2-0 away against the Orc horde, and it will have been a perfect week
A perfect week would include liverpool dropping points at West ham
Let’s focus on stoke away.
Amazing! we’ve beaten two really difficult bogey teams, can we now make it three in a row? With the 3 at the back We’re difficult to break down and not giving away poor break away goals,which gives us a good chance to get the win. coyg
Giroud should never start for us. We’re just too slow and plodding with him.
He’s a great impact sub when the opponent team is tired and can’t defend their wings vs crosses.
“He always scores during the game” as opposed to all those other guys who score before and after the game
I know he’s French but that made me giggle
We won! Yay!
Ox injured his hammies…again. When he is playing well. That is sad. Bellerin came in and didnt convince me with his performance…his crosses especially.
Great goal from Alexis!! Simple open header goal from Oli!!
The three at the back looks really like working for the team. Defensively more stable. Nacho & Kieran on the left side could turn out to be a great Arsene tactical move. Less goin forward…but defending from the left side has improved.
This formation suits Gibbs. He’s always been more of a wingback, and when playing left back in a 4-2-3-1 has frequently left us exposed. With Monreal to back him up, he has a great deal more freedom to create in the opponent’s half.
Wish Gibbs had more aggressive decision making. It always looks like once he reaches the final third, he’s not sure what to do. Cross? Look for Alexis? Take the defender on? By the time he decides, it’s normally too late.
I think he’s in the end of his Arsenal career, he’s not on the same level he was before, even the level at the beginning of this season.
Hope Ox is ok and we play Mustafi-Kos-Holding with Monreal at LWB until the end of the season.
It´s a bit of an shop window for him (Gibbs) too as we´re looking for an upgrade on him and probably found one with Kolasinac (who is a beast)
wish we’d signed kolasinac .also cohen bramall is having a good run with our u23 team…last game against united u23 he got 2 assists
we need the Ox fit for the FA cup his form has been brilliant but good old mother Arsenal DNA comes back to haunt him grrrrr
Poor alex, he’s starting to find his rhythm on the right wing. Hope nothing serious. Now Bellerin has to impress despite the bad hair
Walcott is a potential option for wing back, has upped his defensive game hugely this season and all you want from him, is to get down the line and whip the ball in the box. If Moses can do it for Chelsea, surely he can do it for us.
Would love to see Perez get a game too.