Arsenal Bury Southampton through a 6-1 League Thrashing

Arsenal gave a taste of Premier League football to newly promoted Southampton through a 6-1 routing marked by own goals and a string of goal-scoring talent from Gervinho, Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott.

In the realm of ball possession, Arsenal proved to be the superior side. Their spectacular first-half showing placed new signing Podolski in the limelight. The German international darted a successful 25-yard shot to claim a second one for the club shortly after Jos Hooiveld’s own goal that spelled disaster for Southampton.

Gervinho followed up four minutes later to penetrate a third for Arsenal. The former Ivory Coast Under-21 captain gave another goal on the 71st minute, which followed another careless own goal from Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne in the first half.

Five goals against Southampton’s one towards the 90th minute, Arsenal’s hunger to play their beautiful game did not stop until the end. An 88th minute thriller from Theo Walcott further widened the club’s lead after rebounding Thomas Vermaelen’s shot saved by Saints keeper Kelvin Davis.

The match brought Arsenal straight to third in the table with just one point under surging rival Manchester United. The club’s series of attacking talent in the match further superseded fears of bleak prospects this season with the exits of prominent players Robin van Persie and Alex Song.

Manager Arsene Wenger remarked that Arsenal has a strong chance to contend for this season’s title, following the overwhelming victory over Southampton. He needs his side to maintain consistency throughout the rest of the season, particularly against the likes of United, Chelsea and titleholders Manchester City.

Crucial to Arsenal’s win is the performance of another new signing, Santi Cazorla. While he may not have scored during the match, he established an outstanding connection with Podolski. Wenger dubbed the Spaniard as having a “first-rate” attitude and technical skills.

In playign against tough oponnent Arsenal, Southampton manager Nigel Adkins said the league has a “ruthless” nature but took the heavy loss as a helpful learning experience for his side. He said that they would further prepare and look forward for their future league fixtures as they pursue for their first points on the table.

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Photo credits:

Lukas Podolski Goal Celebration [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 17 September 2012, from <http://soccer.indonewyork.com/arsenal-6-1-southampton-video-highlights-and-report-15-sept-2012/ >