Sixual

Happy Monday, made an all the more happy Monday by the performance on Saturday, sure people will say "It's only Southampton" and "They scored 2 own goals" and the equally hilarious "Arsenal got OG in the deal that took Robin Van Persie to Man Utd" and those people should never be allowed to use Twitter or the internet again.

I've gone off track, there were so many good things about the performance that didn't result in the goals though, the link up's between Santi/Podolski and Gibbs (!) who if fit for the majority of the season looks like forcing his way back in the England squad, defensively he's improved (But then they all have), then there was Arteta's expectant metronomic performance and Per looking angry when he missed a chance, it was a great day and a great win. We all know stronger challenges lie ahead but it's nice to dispatch a team handily after a run of games without a win at home.

Games and Montpellier, Man City & Chelsea will be a test to the team that face them and also the squad depth. My team vs Montpellier

Szczesny - Needs match practice, oh boy does he.

Yennaris - Jenko is 1st choice RB with Sagna out, Coquelin looked like he was blowing 2nd half

Koscielny - Needs minutes

Vermaelen - Warrior

Santos - Needs minutes

Ramsey - Looked really sharp vs Soton

Arteta - Metronome

Walcott - Minutes

Cazorla - Wizard

Oxlade-Chamberlain - Youthful enough to play a couple of games a week


Giroud - Who knows them better?


Finally today the marks for Southampton


Szczesny - 6 - Was going to be a 5 but made a couple of saves, looks poor in games where he doesn't have enough to do as he tries to over-compensate

Jenkinson - 7 - Steady as she goes - benefirtted from Southampton's desire not to play with full-backs

Mertesacker - 8 - Benefitted the most from Steve Bould's appointment - positional play has gotten better

Vermaelen - 7.5 - Quietest player on the pitch action wise, loudest on it. As it should be.

Gibbs - 9 - Telepathic link up with Santi/Lukas - responsible for the two own goals.



Arteta - 8.5 - Metronomic - The Cool Hand Luke of the midfield

Coquelin - 8- Really impressed but faded fitness wise as the game wore on

Oxlade-Chamberlain - 7.5 - Tried really hard to impress, sometimes too much

Cazorla - 8.5 - Standard Santi. A joy

Gervinho - 9 - Joint MOM this week, couldn't believe what I was seeing, fluid movement and finishing he must of borrowed off someone.

Podolski - 8.5 - Brilliant work-rate and ethic, gorgeous free-kick giving him more confidence and a celebration that has provided some epic gif's. What more could you need?



Until tomorrow.