A 'Curate's Egg'

So, ultimately, this was a very comfortable victory for Arsenal. However, this match - like Arsenal themselves - was something of a 'curate's egg' - a curate's egg being an accepted term for something that is sometimes good, and other times bad - and that sums Arsenal up perfectly.

Because this was a game that can be easily split into two parts as far as analysis goes. For 20 minutes Arsenal were frankly awful; unable to keep any measure of control or even get out of their own half, and helping to fashion opportunities for the opposition with any lack of coordination or apparent urgency. And then they scored, completely against the run of play, and Southampton immediately capitulated.

Team news first. We weren't surprised to see Tierney keep his place, nor for Smith Rowe to miss out again due to injury. But the shock news reverberating around the stadium that Club Captain Aubameyang was out of the squad for disciplinary reasons was a major talking point.

It may be that this incident will speed Auba's departure from the club. The thing is, though, that I really don't think that Arteta helps himself with cryptic messages to the media; nor with his man management style. Auba will feel somewhat humiliated by what happened (and of course it's not the first time), but from what I understand an explanation for his absence would make a massive difference to people's perceptions here. 

I understand that Auba was given permission to go and collect his mother - who has been unwell for several months - from her home in France and bring her back to stay with him in the UK. But they didn't make the designated flight, arrived back on Thursday morning instead of Wednesday evening, and thus wrecked Arsenal's Covid protocols. However, he did turn up to training on time despite the late return. Would we feel different if we heard this officially - as opposed to hearing that 'we have certain non-negotiables'; and no further explanation? I know that I would. 

I'd say, however, that Auba would have been better off sending his 'hanger on' brother - who seems to do nothing but take videos of Auba to post on social media - to collect their mother instead of going himself. That's the error of judgment here, I think.

And so to the game itself. For 20 minutes Arsenal were torn to pieces by injury-ravaged Southampton, giving up chances to Tella, Armstrong (excellent save from Ramsdale) and two free kicks in dangerous spots from Ward-Prowse. Efforts to play their way through the Southampton press were continually thwarted, and with no control in midfield Arsenal could barely get out of their own half. Against a better side, Arsenal will suffer - one only has to think back to what Liverpool did to them to remember how bad things can get if it doesn't pay off - and we really need to see them mix it up a little bit. One issue, of course, was the lack of a target man to allow Ramsdale to go long occasionally, but Southampton's giant defenders were always likely to dominate Lacazette in the air. We don't even have the luxury of last year's 'out ball' in the air to Pepe at the moment either.

But on 20 minutes Arsenal finally broke through the Southampton press, and thanks to some really slick one touch football, a driving run and excellent pick out by Saka saw Laca sweep the ball home. A lovely team goal.

Completely undeserved; but there again, who cares? And this illustrates the issue. When it works, it's brilliant. But Arsenal need to get better at it - and it doesn't half give the crowd palpitations to see so many short passes so close to goal almost intercepted. It's really not good for one's heart!

At that point, Southampton heads visibly dropped. They had shot their bolt, and had no response as Arsenal took over completely. Poor defending just a few minutes later led to a rare headed goal by Odegaard, and Arsenal cruised to half time.

The second half was no different, as Arsenal remained in almost total control (one excellent tip over by Ramsdale from a Redmond effort essentially the only real moment of concern. Gabriel had a goal chalked off for offside following a corner, but then nodded in unchallenged from another just a few moments later. The always busy Martinelli and Saka both hit the post, and it could easily have been 6 by the end. Ultimately, it was a walk in the park.

We can be absolutely certain, however, that West Ham on Wednesday will be a completely different kettle of fish. And it's against the likes of West Ham that Arsenal need to be measuring themselves at the moment if they have any aspirations to finish fourth (the first three spots are sorted, even this early in the season). And having failed to cope with the challenge of two perfectly winnable away games last week, this one is crucial - a win would take Arsenal above West Ham; maybe into that coveted fourth place. The fact is that in order to be seen to be improving Arsenal need to take bigger scalps than the likes of Southampton.

All of which makes Wednesday's game HUGE! - so COYG!!!

A couple of asides: firstly, how unsurprising was it to see all the top three winning courtesy of slightly dubious penalty awards? And secondly the new song for our friends from Middlesex, which made me chuckle somewhat: 'Tottenham get Covid everywhere they go!...'

I'll be back with you on Thursday. Until then, stay safe.