Arsenal breeze past Southampton minus Wenger

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Arsene Wenger kicked off his first match of the touchline ban as him team routed past the Saints to win 5-0. Wenger made ten changes to his first team line up as it was clearly evident that he was more focused on his next premier league match. Walcott and Welbeck returned to first team action after a long absence due to injury. And both of them put their names on the score sheet.

Back and scoring:

Welbeck made his first appearance since May 2016 and capped it off with two wonderful goals. He did not look rusty and out of match fitness at all. Another notable return of the evening was Theo Walcott who came back from injury to score a hat-trick for the Gunners. Two of Theo Walcott’s goal were assisted by Sanchez. And the other one by Danny Welbeck.

Walcott returned to the first team lineup and scored a hattrick.
Picture by Ronnie Macdonald.

Ox in the box:

Arsenal were missing the services of some crucial midfield players like Granit Xhaka and Santi Carzola. Due to suspension and injury respectively. And Wenger decided to play Oxlade-Chamberlain at the heart of the midfield. He seized the opportunity with both hands as he put a wonderful performance in the match. He has been in and out of the first team and his performance on the night will clearly give Wenger something to think about.

Wenger handed first team starts to two 19-year-old youngsters.  Maitland-Niles and Adelaide. And both of them but in a solid shift during the match and Wenger clearly looks to have another set of talented youngsters in his bag.

Oxlade-Chamberlain put in a fine shift at the heart of midfield.
Picture by Ronnie Macdonald.

Second in the league and pushing on:

Arsenal are second in the league and next they face Watford at home. Wenger will be less likely to take any chances in this match and will definitely put out a more experienced side. The Arsenal boss will also be unavailable for this match but he will be hoping that his team can pull out a very similar performance.

 

 

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