Arsene Wenger looks lost as Arsenal get hammered by Southampton

After the Foxes were downed 1-0 by Liverpool on Boxing Day, Arsenal needed to beat a desperately-out-of-form Southampton to go top.

“This game is a heavy defeat for us as we had a big chance but let’s not talk about chances as we have to bounce back very quickly and concentrate on our home game”.

I said before the game at the moment if we are one point ahead or one point behind it is not too important.

Petr Cech has urged Arsenal to turn the negative aspects of their humiliating defeat at Southampton into a positive when they host AFC Bournemouth on Monday. Their first shot on goal went into the top corner from the right-back [Martina], the second goal came after a foul on [Laurent] Koscielny.

“I think the game plan was flawless because Shane Long and Sadio create a lot of problems to the defenders of Arsenal”.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger before the Barclays Premier League match at St Mary’s, Southampton yesterday.

He included: “We demonstrated fabulous confidence in everyone and indicated how great we are today on the off chance that we play at our level.”

Long scored the fourth goal in the second minute of injury time, but by then Arsenal had mentally checked out of the game.

“We are disappointed and frustrated, but there’s only one way to respond in 48 hours”. It is hard to check that but I felt we were not physically at our best.

However, the signs were there against Man City as we should have wrapped the game up but were instead hanging on at the end and it was more relief than joy at the final whistle. It also raised all the old question marks about whether Arsenal’s squad is strong enough and if his players have the mental strength to maintain a title challenge.

Wenger said after the match that referee Jon Moss incorrectly allowed three of Southampton’s goals.

“It’s a disappointing result, but you have to say well done Southampton”.

“They were a very physical team who stopped us from playing and the wind and conditions were very hard for us as well”.

I don’t think so.

It was 2-0 ten minutes into the second half when a patient counter-attacking move ended with Long finishing well from Mané’s assist.

It is hard for me straight after the game… to analyse every single challenge. So we start we three fewer players than we could have done, but in reality we start with 19 because Wilshere, Rosicky and Welbeck are out with long term injuries.