Southampton 4 Arsenal 0: Improved Saints deny Wenger's men top spot

Southampton ended their dismal recent form to claim a deserved win over an Arsenal side who had designs on top spot in the Premier League.

Arsenal missed the chance to go top of the Premier League as Arsene Wenger's men were soundly beaten 4-0 by a much-improved Southampton at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday. 

Wenger's side fuelled talk of a sustained title push with an impressive victory over Manchester City on Monday, but were punished for a lethargic display on the south coast as the hosts ended their run of five league games without a win in style. 

Southampton had picked up just a point from their previous five outings, but, after a slow start, went ahead courtesy of Cuco Martina's impressive long-range effort 19 minutes in. 

On his maiden Premier League start, Martina became the first Curacaoan to score in the division and Southampton grew in confidence, doubling the lead 10 minutes into the second half via the first of a Shane Long brace. 

With limited attacking options on the bench, Wenger saw his side toil in the final third and struggle defensively as they failed to leapfrog leaders Leicester City - beaten 1-0 by Liverpool earlier in the day and two points clear of Arsenal. 

Instead, Southampton - missing the likes of injured pair Graziano Pelle and Cedric Soares - saw Jose Fonte head in a third from a corner and Long make it 4-0 in stoppage time shortly after being denied by the woodwork to seal the points on a hugely frustrating evening for the visitors.  

An unchanged Arsenal edged the opening stages, but fell behind to the hosts' first effort on target. 

Per Mertesacker only partially cleared Ryan Bertrand's delivery, allowing Martina to beat Petr Cech with a stunning outside-of-the-boot effort. 

James Ward-Prowse dragged a shot wide before the half-hour mark as the home side grew in confidence, with Steven Davis failing to muster a clean strike on goal after Laurent Koscielny lost possession. 

For all their early endeavour, Arsenal's best chances were a tame Theo Walcott shot easily gathered by Maarten Stekelenburg and a header from the Arsenal winger that found the side-netting.

Long almost doubled Southampton's half-time lead, but the striker could only put his lob over the crossbar while Sadio Mane's dangerous delivery failed to get the necessary touch early on the second half. 

Virgil van Dijk had the ball in the net five minutes after the interval - his header adjudged offside - although Long did make it 2-0 with a breakaway goal before the hour. 

The Republic of Ireland international played a neat one-two with Mane, before turning his team-mate's cross past Cech from close range amid Arsenal complaints over a perceived trip from Long on Koscielny. 

Arsenal continued to flounder going forward, with the likes of Mesut Ozil and Joel Campbell largely anonymous in the face of incessant Saints pressure. 

Former Southampton man Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was introduced for the latter after the hour, but it was Southampton who remained the more clinical, skipper Fonte heading home from Bertrand's set-piece 21 minutes from time. 

The impressive Long hit the post, but was not to be denied a second when Dusan Tadic set him clear, the Saints forward finishing past Cech to complete a miserable outing for Wenger's men. 

Key Opta stats:  

- Arsenal have lost two successive league meetings with Southampton for the first time since April 1988.
- Cuco Martina was the first player from Curacao to score a Premier League goal - 93 different nationalities have now scored in the competition.
- Arsenal have conceded five Premier League goals from outside the box in 2015-16 so far; two more than in the whole of 2014-15 (3).
- Sadio Mane has six assists in 18 Premier League appearances this season; twice as many as he had in 30 Premier League last season (3). 

Saints rout Arsenal to deny Gunners top spot

Arsenal missed the chance to go top of the Premier League as Arsene Wenger's men were soundly beaten 4-0 by a much-improved Southampton at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday.

Wenger's side fuelled talk of a sustained title push with an impressive victory over Manchester City on Monday, but were punished for a lethargic display on the south coast as the hosts ended their run of five league games without a win in style.

Southampton had picked up just a point from their previous five outings, but, after a slow start, went ahead courtesy of Cuco Martina's impressive long-range effort 19 minutes in.

On his maiden Premier League start, Martina became the first Curacaoan to score in the division and Southampton grew in confidence, doubling the lead 10 minutes into the second half via the first of a Shane Long brace.

With limited attacking options on the bench, Wenger saw his side toil in the final third and struggle defensively as they failed to leapfrog leaders Leicester City - beaten 1-0 by Liverpool earlier in the day and two points clear of Arsenal.

Instead, Southampton - missing the likes of injured pair Graziano Pelle and Cedric Soares - saw Jose Fonte head in a third from a corner and Long make it 4-0 in stoppage time shortly after being denied by the woodwork to seal the points on a hugely frustrating evening for the visitors. 

An unchanged Arsenal edged the opening stages, but fell behind to the hosts' first effort on target.

Per Mertesacker only partially cleared Ryan Bertrand's delivery, allowing Martina to beat Petr Cech with a stunning outside-of-the-boot effort.

James Ward-Prowse dragged a shot wide before the half-hour mark as the home side grew in confidence, with Steven Davis failing to muster a clean strike on goal after Laurent Koscielny lost possession.

For all their early endeavour, Arsenal's best chances were a tame Theo Walcott shot easily gathered by Maarten Stekelenburg and a header from the Arsenal winger that found the side-netting.

Long almost doubled Southampton's half-time lead, but the striker could only put his lob over the crossbar while Sadio Mane's dangerous delivery failed to get the necessary touch early on the second half.

Virgil van Dijk had the ball in the net five minutes after the interval - his header adjudged offside - although Long did make it 2-0 with a breakaway goal before the hour.

The Republic of Ireland international played a neat one-two with Mane, before turning his team-mate's cross past Cech from close range amid Arsenal complaints over a perceived trip from Long on Koscielny.

Arsenal continued to flounder going forward, with the likes of Mesut Ozil and Joel Campbell largely anonymous in the face of incessant Saints pressure.

Former Southampton man Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was introduced for the latter after the hour, but it was Southampton who remained the more clinical, skipper Fonte heading home from Bertrand's set-piece 21 minutes from time.

The impressive Long hit the post, but was not to be denied a second when Dusan Tadic set him clear, the Saints forward finishing past Cech to complete a miserable outing for Wenger's men.

Key Opta stats: 

- Arsenal have lost two successive league meetings with Southampton for the first time since April 1988.

- Cuco Martina was the first player from Curacao to score a Premier League goal - 93 different nationalities have now scored in the competition.

- Arsenal have conceded five Premier League goals from outside the box in 2015-16 so far; two more than in the whole of 2014-15 (3).

- Sadio Mane has six assists in 18 Premier League appearances this season; twice as many as he had in 30 Premier League last season (3).

71 touches, 7 take-ons: Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain superb on international duty

Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was superb for England on Monday night.

Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain produced an excellent performance for England on Monday night as they crushed a poor Lithuania side 3-0.

With qualification already assured, England boss Roy Hodgson went for an experimental XI including Oxlade-Chamberlain acting as a wide forward with Jamie Vardy on the opposite flank.

The 22-year-old is versatile and can play in a number of positions in the final third, providing pace in wide areas or the option of directness and a sense of urgency through the middle.

Against Lithuania, he was tasked with the former and really put his opponents to the sword, topping off a superb outing with England‘s third and final goal in a dominant victory.

	Goals	Shots	Key Passes	Take-ons	Touches	Accurate Passes	Tackles	Mins Played
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain	1	2	1	7	71	45	3	90

As per the table provided by Opta Stats, Oxlade-Chamberlain shone in a number of key attacking areas.

Aside from his well-taken goal, the Gunners’ ace tested Lithuania shot-stopper Giedrius Arlauskis twice, created one chance via a key pass and completed a team-high seven successful take-ons.

In possession, Oxlade-Chamberlain was assured as he took 71 touches and made 45 accurate passes, all while remembering his defensive duties with an impressive three tackles.

It has been a highly positive international break for the Gunners with Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott and now Oxlade-Chamberlain finding the net while no injuries were suffered.

The North Londoners resume action this Saturday against Watford and boss Arsene Wenger will have one big selection headache with a number of players impressing over the past few days.

Why Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Must Produce for Arsenal After the Internationals

When Arsenal return from the international break, expectancy will be high. After their rousing win over Manchester United, it’s time for the Gunners to begin their championship challenge in earnest. In the midst of the Arsenal squad, there’s one player who certainly has room for improvement: It’s time for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to step up and fulfil his enormous potential.

Although Oxlade-Chamberlain is still just 22, he’s been on the scene at the Emirates Stadium for some time now. When he first arrived as a swaggering, bulldozing midfielder from Southampton, it seemed a matter of time until he established himself as a fixture in the first team. However, he is still yet to nail down a regular place. 

There is a spot waiting for Oxlade-Chamberlain in the Arsenal XI if he is able to seize it. With Theo Walcott seemingly reassigned a role as a striker, there is plenty of room on the right flank. At present, that place is filled by Aaron Ramsey—a central midfielder, forced into an unfamiliar position. As a more natural wide player, Oxlade-Chamberlain has all the tools to make the role his own.

However, Oxlade-Chamberlain has yet to show the sort of consistency required to nail down a place in the team. After playing a big part in preseason, it was anticipated that he would feature fairly consistently under Arsene Wenger this season. However, he has started just two of Arsenal’s eight Premier League fixtures to date.

One of those was the first game of the Premier League season, against West Ham. In that match, Oxlade-Chamberlain committed a defensive error in the build-up to the Hammers’ second goal, conceding possession deep in his own half.

That’s one of his big problems at the moment. Every time Oxlade-Chamberlain plays, there seems to be a lapse in concentration that proves problematic for his team. He is not attentive enough to the defensive duties that are a vital part of the wide players’ job at Arsenal.

However, Wenger seems to identify a different problem as the key issue facing Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Arsenal boss believes the midfielder must overcome a lack of confidence to make the most of his abilities.

Speaking to Jack Gaughan of MailOnline, Wenger said:

It is a massive season for Alex.

He is at the age now where he is getting picked regularly for the national team. He is picked by me as well for the team.

It is a very important season because of the nature he is growing. You feel the evolution has a sense of responsibility. I think Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain must believe more in himself.

He must believe more in his talent and that will help him develop as a player. I think sometimes he is too critical of himself. I would like him to play with the freedom and express the desire of his talent.

The player himself seems to concur. Oxlade-Chamberlain grew up under the watchful eye of his father, former England international Mark Chamberlain. That instilled in him high standards, but it seems as if Wenger is eager for the youngster to give himself a break and start expressing himself on the field. In an interview with Matt Law of theTelegraph, Oxlade-Chamberlain admitted:

If I’ve had a bad game, I know I’ve had a bad game and I don’t mind hearing it. I’ve had 15 years of hearing it from my dad! I’m the first one to have a go at myself and then it’s my dad.

That kind of relentless self-analysis can be an inhibiting factor on a player’s game. Perhaps if Oxlade-Chamberlain were delivering in the final third, his defensive error would attract less attention. The very fact he’s caught trying to dribble through his own half smacks of a player trying too hard to impress.

Thus far, his Premier League campaign has yielded no goals or assists. For a player with aspirations of holding down a regular place in Arsenal’s attack, that’s simply not good enough.

It’s frustrating as he has a huge amount of natural ability. Oxlade-Chamberlain has been successful in 14 out of 18 attempted take-ons in 2015/16. You will not find many more effective dribblers than that. His pace, power and trickery makes him a nightmare for even the most capable full-back.

However, he is so often let down by his lack of final product. Take his shooting ability: Oxlade-Chamberlain repeatedly fluffs his lines in front of goal, despite his superb technique. This season, he has tested the goalkeeper with just 29 percent of his shots. That’s a bafflingly low ratio. It can only be a psychological problem: Oxlade-Chamberlain is so desperate to score that he overthinks the simplest scenarios.

Fortunately, there is a player at Arsenal who is a perfect role model for the robustly built winger. In Alexis Sanchez, Oxlade-Chamberlain has the ideal idol to try and emulate. Speaking to Sam Long of the London Evening Standard, Oxlade-Chamberlain gushed about the Chilean:

Alexis is someone who has massive self belief and shows that every week. Quite often that results in a positive performance with good results.

It's definitely something for me to take on board and look to improve on.

I'm critical of myself and I try to demand high standards of myself. Sometimes that can work in a negative fashion.

To look at how any goals he scored last year makes it hard for me not to look and learn from him. It's his everyday manner around the training ground, how he trains, his performances, how he scores goals and how defends from the front.

I've definitely put myself in the bracket of somebody who learns from him every day.

Oxlade-Chamberlain must hope those lessons begin to hit home soon. While it’s clear Wenger retains enormous faith in the youngster, he must make sure his progress does not plateau like that of other English youngsters such as Kieran Gibbs or even Jack Wilshere.

He must rise to the challenge, and in doing so alleviate some of the pressure he puts on himself. It’s difficult to find a balance between focus and freedom, but Oxlade-Chamberlain has a manager in Wenger who will help him tread that line.

When he returns to London Colney, Oxlade-Chamberlain must start to produce his best form. There is a superb opportunity for him at Arsenal right now, and to let it slip by would be criminal.

It’s not unrealistic to believe that he could become a regular starter for club and country by the end of the season. Given his extraordinary gifts, he shouldn't aim for anything less.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.

Arsenal Must Deduce What Is Holding Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Back

Alexis Sanchez has went from goat to being hailed as the next Arsenal legend in the span of a few weeks. The goals are pouring in and he is stepping up to be a leader in the dressing room. His training, his confidence and his effort are beacons for what Arsenal youngsters can aspire to be.

One Arsenal man has already indicated that he wants to emulate Alexis. That man is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Now 22 years of age, the Ox is at a point where he has to start delivering from his previous ‘wonderkid’ mantra. Two years ago, the Ox was all the rage. Everyone was excited to see what he could turn into. Now, he still finds his way blocked.

After a rousing start to the campaign with a beautiful goal against Chelsea in the FA Community Shield, the Ox has faded into the shadows of Arsenal’s mass of attacking options. That is not where he belongs. The young Englishman exudes confidence at the microphone. It’s confidence on the pitch that is the problem. Arsene Wenger has even keyed in on this.

“I might need to start showing that I believe in myself a bit more,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said, via the Mirror.

That really is the only thing holding back the massive talent that is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. We have seen him do some amazing things. His goal (ignoring the follow-up) against Monaco was beautiful and seemingly out of the blue. The goal against Chelsea was equally gorgeous and on his weaker foot. Watching the Ox tap the ball around opposing fullbacks and then chase it down is a joy to behold. He has the physicality to out-muscle a good percentage of the league as well.

In the Ox, Arsenal has a player that could play just about anywhere ahead of the back four. And that is not a stretch. He could even be used up front if he learns to be a better finisher. This kid is talented. With pace, strength, and technical ability that is rarely seen in one person, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could very well become another Alexis Sanchez.

All he needs is confidence. I made mention of all of the amazing things we have seen the Ox do but we have also seen him do some boneheaded/bizarre/questionable things as well. His loose cannon can go wild at times. His first touch can be a bit flustering. His mistakes can be costly. Most of these things can be solved with a boost in confidence and awareness.

The last thing we need is another player like Olivier Giroud, who is so drastically different depending on the confidence level. Obviously dips in confidence affect everyone but it cannot completely remove you from relevance.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a few small steps away from stardom. It’s just a matter of getting there. That has to be one of Arsenal’s top priorities. The Ox has to start producing some solid numbers. 9 goals and 10 assists since 2011 is not the best return. Throughout his career he is averaging just 0.8 key passes per game. The numbers show that he is also not cutting down on being dispossessed. We have seen what he can do but the statistics do not back him up. (Statistics via WhoScored).

Whether it is getting him more playing time, getting him more responsibility or just getting him in the right positions, the Ox is a talent that can drive Arsenal for a decade. It is up to Arsene Wenger to really unlock him.

Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wants Thierry Henry master-class to get the goals flowing

Midfielder has NEVER scored for the club in a competitive away game and hopes tips from the Gunners icon will make him a regular for them and England.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will tap up Thierry Henry for advice after admitting that he is painfully aware of his lack of Arsenal goals.

The England wideman has NEVER scored in a competitive away match in more than four years as a Gunner – all 13 of his goals have come at the Emirates.

And Oxlade-Chamberlain, who netted his fifth England goal in Monday’s 3-0 victory over Lithuania that completed the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, knows he has to improve in that area if he is to nail down regular starts for Arsene Wenger’s team.

That will mean seeking a master-class from Gunners legend Henry, who is working with his old club’s Under-18s in-between TV punditry shifts and has also already helped Theo Walcott to improve his goals output.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 22, said: “I might have to have a few words with Thierry. I think there’s no better man to advise you on how to get a goal here or there.

Thierry Henry's career in pictures:

“My goals record is definitely something I think of. It’s something, as an attacking player, you have to be aware of.

“You can’t force it too much because you start to do the wrong things on the pitch if you try to force shots that are not on but it is definitely something I think about and work on.

“I watch games back and see positions, it’s more so for me getting in the right positions to score the ‘easy’ goals as they say. There’s no easy goals but the tap-ins at the back post and stuff like that.

“That’s something I’m more conscious of. It’s definitely something I’m aware of so if I am able to get on the score-sheet like in Lithuania it’s something I’m happy about it.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain started in Roy Hodgson’s experimental side in Vilnius – and has netted three times away from home for England – including a memorable strike against Brazil in the iconic Maracana.

But he knows he will face stiff competition to feature in next summer’s finals in France.

Away daze: Oxlade-Chamberlain can score on the road for England but not for Arsenal

He said: “There are a few lads injured that are big players who I am sure will come back to play for their clubs and be right back in around the England squad. It’s always been like that and it’s a credit to the strength in the country at the moment.

“A lot of the youth are coming through and really staking their claim for places in the squad and starting eleven.

"It’s always hard competition for a place and that is the best way to get the best performances out of the boys and to keep us competitive, moving on towards France.

“It’s not for me to say whether I have done enough to stay in the team. Every time I come and try to work hard in training and when I get opportunities try to work hard and do the things the boss asks us to do.

"All I can do is keep doing that, trying to get goals, help the team going forward, that’s one of my main roles but also respecting my defensive jobs as well.”

In pictures — Oxlade-Chamberlain scores as England win in Lithuania:

England now face friendlies with back-to-back Euros winners Spain and Euro 2016 hosts France next month, as they step up in class having finished with a 100 per cent record in a weak qualification group.

And the Ox said: “It’s definitively not a bad thing.

"We need to compete against these top teams and go and win against these teams if we want to do well in tournaments. We are all looking forward to that.

"We need to put in some good performances against those good teams because we know they have got the ability in their squad to punish us as well.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hoping to add goals with Euro 2016 on horizon

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is trying to add more goals to his game as thoughts turn to making England's Euro 2016 squad.

The Three Lions' place at the finals in France has long been secured, with Monday's 3-0 win in Lithuania merely adding extra gloss as they ended the qualification process with a 100 percent record.

A heavily deflected effort from Ross Barkley and an own goal from Lithuania goalkeeper Giedrius Arlauskis gave Roy Hodgson's men a comfortable half-time lead in Vilnius, where Oxlade-Chamberlain completed the scoring with a fierce strike into the top right-hand corner.

It was the Arsenal winger's fifth goal in 24 appearances for his country -- a far better scoring ratio than he has managed at club level, which is something he is trying to remedy.

"It is definitely something I think of," Oxlade-Chamberlain said. "It's something as an attacking player you have to be aware of.

"You can't force it too much because you start to do the wrong things on the pitch if you try to force shots that are not on.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has a better goal scoring record for England than he does for Arsenal.

"It is definitely something I think about and work on. I watch games back and see positions, it's more so for me getting in the right positions to score the easy goals as they say.

"There's no easy goals but the tap-ins at the back post and stuff like that.

"That's something I'm more conscious of. It's definitely something I'm aware of so if I am able to get on the scoresheet like tonight it's something I'm happy about it."

Oxlade-Chamberlain may look to get some advice from Arsenal great Thierry Henry -- "there's no better man to advise you on how to get a goal here or there" -- with Euro 2016 on the horizon.

The 22-year-old endured a frustrating time last year as a knee injury sustained during a pre-tournament friendly against Ecuador reduced the attacking midfielder to a watching brief at the World Cup.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was part of the England squad for the last European Championship in Ukraine and Poland, but he is not taking his place for granted next summer.

"That's not for me to say," he said. "Every time I come and try to work hard in training and when I get opportunities try to work hard and do the things the boss asks us to do.

"All I can do is keep doing that, trying to get goals, help the team going forward -- that's one of my main roles but also respecting my defensive jobs as well and helping us in that sense.

"That is something we work hard on, making sure we all defend properly right from the front.

"All I can do is keeping work hard, that's the boss's decision, he'll pick whoever he thinks will get the job done and he has got a lot of choices and that's a good thing."