Arsène Wenger’s departure from Arsenal’s benches has done very well to the team, happiness seemed eternal for Londoners who did not lose since August 18, 2018, against Chelsea (3-2). They were 22 matches without knowing the defeat under the command of Unai Emery. Until they had to visit the St. Mary’s Stadium of Southampton that put an end to the immaculate streak of the Gunners.
Southampton trained by Ralph Hasenhüttl for a week and a half went ahead in the 20th minute with a header from Ings after a cross from Targett. To the score of the saints, Mkhitaryan replied at minute 28, also with the head, after an excellent collective gunner play that was culminated by the Armenian with a pass to Monreal who won the baseline.
Before finishing the first half, Ings again put the Saints ahead. It was the minute 44′ and Southampton already saw itself as the executioner of the Arsenal streak (2-1).
Unai wanted the victory and sent all the artillery to the field in search of the comeback. Lacazette entered by Bellerin but it was again the Armenian who would get the tie. Mkhitaryan signed his first double in Premier League and scored twice for the first time since August 2015 with Borussia Dortmund. Mkhitaryan’s goal came in the 53rd minute and Arsenal seemed to be saved, again, from a defeat.
But, Charlie Austin entered the field in the minute 71 and everything changed. Arsenal lost gasoline and gave ground to Southampton. Austin scored in the 85th minute and ended the unbeaten Arsenal that did not have time to react.
The victory allows Southampton to leave the relegation zone and is located seventeenth with 12 points. Arsenal, meanwhile, remains fifth with 34 points, three points behind Chelsea.