Arsenal were forced to settle for a disappointing 0-0 draw against Southampton in a match that was not short on excitement.
The visiting Saints were on the back foot for the majority of the match and struggled to contain the likes of Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez. The pair were able to create many chances for both themselves and their team mates but a combination of goalkeeping heroics from Fraser Forster and some poor taking of chances led the game to a dull conclusion. The Southampton team managed to muster the odd chance on the counter, preying on instances of sloppy play at the back, but were equally ineffective in front of goal.
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Another draw resigns Arsenal to four matches without a win and sees them slip to fourth on the table, five points behind league leaders Leicester. A slow end to the month and a lack of action in the transfer market, aside from the signing of Mohamed Elneny, see fans again critical of long-time manager Arsène Wenger.
Fraser Forster is back
His back line was repeatedly breached and he was exposed on numerous occasions but Forster stood up to every challenge and kept the ledger even throughout this match. Pulling off a number of fine saves, the Saints glovesman was his side’s man of the match, denying Özil, Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott with some superb blocks.
Since returning to the side after a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury, the Southampton number 44 has kept four consecutive clean sheets, though this is the first he really had to work hard for. Relatively cruisy wins over Watford, West Brom and Man United left the returning gloveman without a lot to do but this match really proved that Forster will be able to replicate the impressive form he displayed before succumbing to injury last season.
Özil continues to sparkle
Despite not being able to either open the scoring himself or provide the assist for one of his team mates to do so, the German still continued his mesmerising recent form and looked to be the man to crack open the Saints’ defence. A few chances fell the way of the playmaker in the first half but, despite some sublime touches and deft play, he was not able to stick the ball in the back of the net. In the second period, he became a provider and saw many incisive passes and inviting crosses go unconverted.
Even without managing to get another number in his goal or assists column, the former Real Madrid man showed why he looks to be on target to break the Premier League assist record. With 16 assists in 22 appearances and having already set a record this season for most consecutive matches with assists in EPL history with six, the creative maestro looks on track to best fellow Gunner Thierry Henry’s 20 assist record.
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Austin hit early by injury
With his amazingly cheap transfer from Queens Park Rangers last month celebrated as one of the best pieces of business in January, doubt may already be beginning to circle after injury kept Charlie Austin out of the matchday squad. Wrestled away from the London club for a measly £4 million and managing to score on his debut against United, fans were already singing his praises but injury has once again found the English striker. Having only made a handful of appearances in 2015-16, injury problems seem the major drawback of the talented centre-forward, a notion which was amplified by comments from West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan.
With the issue reported as only a minor problem and it expected that the new signing will be fit to return to action in the next match against West Ham, there is no need for alarm bells at St Mary’s.
But the small knock may be an omen of things to come.
Even with his clear goalscoring talent, repeated injury can majorly limit the effectiveness of Austin and can majorly hamper a career (Daniel Sturridge anyone?). It may turn out to not be as big a bargain as Ronald Koeman first thought.
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