Southampton got a bit screwed over by drawing Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City in the first month of the Premier League season, but that doesn't exactly excuse their defense. Giving up three to City and United is understandable, but they were truly abysmal in giving up six to the Gunners, as Arsenal defeated the Saints 6-1 at the Emirates.
That's not to discredit Arsenal, who played their best match of the season and might have scored three or four goals against a respectable defense on Saturday. Jos Hooiveld opened the scoring in the 11th minute by putting the ball into his own net. With an early lead, Arsenal didn't have to worry about breaking down their opponent and Southampton couldn't bunker. That was a bad combination.
Lukas Podolski doubled Arsenal's lead with an absolutely beautiful free kick in the 31st minute, which started Southampton's downright implosion. Gervinho netted his first of the season in the 35th minute, and that was followed up by a Nathaniel Clyne own goal two minutes later that effectively ended the contest.
Danny Fox scored just before the stroke of halftime, assisted by Wojciech Szczesny, who hilariously flapped at a cross and missed, allowing Fox to head home. That goal didn't do much for Southampton, even though Szczesny looked shaky for the rest of the game and gave them every chance to find the net. Gervinho scored again in the 71st minute, and Theo Walcott completed the rout with an 88th minute goal.
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