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Report and highlights as Southampton remains in third place
Last updated: 24/02/19 at 16h40
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The goals of Alexandre Lacazette and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the first half allowed Arsenal to win 2-0 against Southampton, which allowed them to take fourth place in the Premier League table.
Lacazette had one of the simplest chances he could hope for after six minutes when Mkhitaryan's half-volley found him at six-meter pace and he steered the ball past the guardian of Saints Angus Gunn with a smart shot.
Mkhitaryan went from provider to striker 11 minutes later, pushing home the center deviated by Alex Iwobi with a nice combination in the corner, to the right.
Southampton occasionally threatened and Matt Targett twice forced Bernd Leno to make smart saves, but Arsenal came back in the top four and over Manchester United with the win.
Southampton started with the same vigor after defeating Arsenal last December and could have taken the advantage in the next five minutes when Nathan Redmond excelled in beating the offside trap and getting into it, but his shot was blocked by Leno's legs.
Arsenal immediately gave a finishing lesson to his visitors who moved the ball forward in seconds. The center of Iwobi reached the center of Mkhitaryan. The half-volley of the goalkeeper hit Lacazette and the Frenchman touched the ball six meters from Gunn.
Targett again tested Gunner goalkeeper Leno when he overtook Stephan Lichtsteiner from the left, but two strong hands prevented his opponent's shot.
Arsenal doubled his lead in amusing circumstances when Gunn's low clearance landed perfectly for Iwobi, whose deviated center fell for Mkhitaryan as he slid the ball into the far post.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan's goal was his third against Southampton this season
Lacazette should have put the game out of Southampton's sight when Sead Kolasinac played the ball selflessly for him in a good goal position, but he flamed at a similar distance in his first game and let Saints down.
Two offensive half-time changes of the visitors have little inspired their return in the match, and Arsenal has controlled much of the remaining 45 minutes, in the manner of a training match.
Later, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, substitute, could have added a third, but his cross shot towards Lacazette was kept apart by the last leg of Gunn.
Targett 's recovery called for Leno to play again, but Arsenal' s lead was never so dangerous as they ended up in the top four.
Opta Facts
- Arsenal are undefeated in their last 24 home games against Southampton (W18 D6) since a 0-1 defeat in November 1987.
- Southampton has won none of its 20 Premier League games away against Arsenal (D5 L15) – the most that one team has played against another without ever winning in the competition.
- Since defeating Manchester City 2-0 on the opening weekend, Arsenal have remained undefeated in 13 home league games (W11 D2), winning the last seven games in a row.
- Southampton have lost seven of their last nine Premier League trips to London (W1 D1) and are without a win in the last four (D1 L3).
- Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been directly involved in all four Premier League goals of Arsenal against Southampton this season (3 goals, 1 badists).
- Alexandre Lacazette scored against 18 of the 22 Premier League teams he faced with Arsenal.
- Alexandre Lacazette is the first Arsenal player to have scored four consecutive goals in the Premier League since Robin van Persie in March 2012 (five games).
Man of the Match – Alex Iwobi
The Arsenal winger has often struggled to qualify for the last ball, but his full match was excellent against Southampton, which has been demonstrated by his commitment to both goals. It was his center that Mkhitaryan turned to goals for Lacazette's first game, and another that was completed by Mkhitaryan to double his head.
He has put more centers in play than anyone else (5) and has also made more badists (3) than any of his teammates.
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