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Arsenal 3-0 Southampton: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang dropped ahead of win

By Joe RindlBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments412

Arsenal celebrate
Alexandre Lacazette's opener completed a 16-pass team goal

Arsenal boosted their Champions League qualification hopes as they cruised past Southampton at Emirates Stadium despite captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being dropped from the squad.

Stand-in skipper Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring for the Gunners in the 21st minute, finishing off a superb 16-pass team move.

And Martin Odegaard doubled the lead six minutes later, heading home from close range.

Arsenal dominated throughout and added a third after 62 minutes with defender Gabriel nodding in a Gabriel Martinelli corner.

The Gunners jump up to fifth in the Premier League table, one point off the top four, while Southampton stay 16th.

No Aubameyang? No problem

All the pre-match talk was around Aubameyang, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta saying the striker was missing out "due to a disciplinary breach".

"I think we have been very consistent, that we have certain non-negotiables in the team that we have set ourselves as a club," Arteta added.

It is not the first time the Spaniard has dropped Aubameyang for disciplinary reasons. In March, the Gabon international missed a win over rivals Tottenham for a "breach of pre-match protocol".

But after a slow start, pre-match incidents were soon forgotten as Lacazette converted Bukayo Saka's cross, completing a team move that started with keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Arteta "very pleased" with Gunners performance after "difficult period"

And minutes later Arsenal grabbed a second with Odegaard meeting Kieran Tierney's header to score a third goal in as many matches.

Arsenal's dominance continued after the break with Gabriel scoring moments after he had had a goal chalked off for offside.

Martinelli then curled a strike against the post midway through the second half, with Saka also striking the woodwork and Takehiro Tomiyasu forcing a fine stop from keeper Willy Caballero.

The hosts continued to impress in the closing stages, winning in style to end a run of back-to-back defeats.

Willy Caballero
Willy Caballero, who was on the bench for Chelsea in last season's Champions League final, has been without a club since the summer

Saints give debut to 40-year-old Caballero

With Saints keeper Alex McCarthy out with a thigh injury and deputy Fraser Forster also missing, Ralph Hasenhuttl handed a debut to emergency signing Caballero.

His first call to action was to pick the ball out of his net, with Southampton second best for much of the 90 minutes.

At the other end, the visitors were limited to shots from range with Arsenal stopper Ramsdale making a number of routine saves.

Southampton "must do better" - Hasenhuttl

The result means Southampton are now winless in 23 Premier League matches at Arsenal, the longest by any club away from home in the competition's history.

The St Mary's outfit have failed to win in each of their past five matches and sit just six points above the relegation zone.

Any point against Arsenal was always going to be seen as a bonus. Attention now turns to winnable games against Crystal Palace and Brentford in the next fortnight.

Player of the match

TierneyKieran Tierney

with an average of 8.58

Arsenal

  1. Squad number3Player nameTierney
    Average rating

    8.58

  2. Squad number8Player nameØdegaard
    Average rating

    7.86

  3. Squad number7Player nameSaka
    Average rating

    7.84

  4. Squad number32Player nameRamsdale
    Average rating

    7.79

  5. Squad number9Player nameLacazette
    Average rating

    7.78

  6. Squad number35Player nameGabriel Martinelli
    Average rating

    7.70

  7. Squad number18Player nameTomiyasu
    Average rating

    7.66

  8. Squad number6Player nameGabriel Magalhães
    Average rating

    7.43

  9. Squad number4Player nameWhite
    Average rating

    7.37

  10. Squad number23Player nameSambi Lokonga
    Average rating

    6.98

  11. Squad number5Player namePartey
    Average rating

    6.93

  12. Squad number16Player nameHolding
    Average rating

    6.85

  13. Squad number19Player namePépé
    Average rating

    6.60

  14. Squad number34Player nameXhaka
    Average rating

    6.25

Southampton

  1. Squad number11Player nameRedmond
    Average rating

    5.42

  2. Squad number27Player nameDiallo
    Average rating

    5.40

  3. Squad number8Player nameWard-Prowse
    Average rating

    5.26

  4. Squad number2Player nameWalker-Peters
    Average rating

    5.21

  5. Squad number18Player nameBroja
    Average rating

    5.15

  6. Squad number23Player nameTella
    Average rating

    5.11

  7. Squad number21Player nameLivramento
    Average rating

    4.98

  8. Squad number9Player nameA Armstrong
    Average rating

    4.89

  9. Squad number5Player nameStephens
    Average rating

    4.65

  10. Squad number35Player nameBednarek
    Average rating

    4.54

  11. Squad number13Player nameCaballero
    Average rating

    4.49

  12. Squad number24Player nameElyounoussi
    Average rating

    4.42

  13. Squad number4Player nameLyanco
    Average rating

    3.87

Line-ups

Arsenal

Formation 4-4-1-1

  • 32Ramsdale
  • 18Tomiyasu
  • 4White
  • 6GabrielBooked at 3minsSubstituted forHoldingat 70'minutes
  • 3Tierney
  • 7SakaBooked at 17mins
  • 5Partey
  • 34XhakaSubstituted forSambi Lokongaat 81'minutes
  • 35Martinelli
  • 8Ødegaard
  • 9LacazetteSubstituted forPépéat 83'minutes

Substitutes

  • 10Smith Rowe
  • 15Maitland-Niles
  • 16Holding
  • 17Cédric Soares
  • 19Pépé
  • 20Tavares
  • 23Sambi Lokonga
  • 30Nketiah
  • 33Okonkwo

Southampton

Formation 4-4-2

  • 13Caballero
  • 21Livramento
  • 5Stephens
  • 35Bednarek
  • 2Walker-Peters
  • 11Redmond
  • 8Ward-Prowse
  • 27Diallo
  • 23Tella
  • 18BrojaSubstituted forLyancoat 70'minutes
  • 9A ArmstrongSubstituted forElyounoussiat 43'minutes

Substitutes

  • 4Lyanco
  • 7Long
  • 15Perraud
  • 19Djenepo
  • 20Smallbone
  • 24Elyounoussi
  • 32Walcott
  • 41Lewis
  • 43Valery
Referee:
Jarred Gillett
Attendance:
59,653

Match Stats

Home TeamArsenalAway TeamSouthampton
Possession
Home61%
Away39%
Shots
Home15
Away11
Shots on Target
Home5
Away6
Corners
Home9
Away8
Fouls
Home5
Away9

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Arsenal 3, Southampton 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Arsenal 3, Southampton 0.

  3. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Rob Holding (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Gabriel Martinelli with a cross.

  4. Post update

    Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Jack Stephens.

  5. Post update

    Albert Sambi Lokonga (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Nathan Redmond (Southampton).

  7. Post update

    Attempt missed. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Martin Ødegaard.

  8. Post update

    Nicolas Pépé (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  9. Post update

    Foul by Jack Stephens (Southampton).

  10. Post update

    Nicolas Pépé (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  11. Post update

    Foul by Mohamed Elyounoussi (Southampton).

  12. Post update

    Attempt missed. Thomas Partey (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.

  13. Substitution

    Substitution, Arsenal. Nicolas Pépé replaces Alexandre Lacazette.

  14. Post update

    Hand ball by Nathan Tella (Southampton).

  15. Substitution

    Substitution, Arsenal. Albert Sambi Lokonga replaces Granit Xhaka.

  16. Post update

    Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Nathan Tella (Southampton).

  18. Post update

    Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Gabriel Martinelli.

  19. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Nathan Redmond (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  20. Post update

    Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Aaron Ramsdale.

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Comments

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These comments are now closed.

412 comments

  • Comment posted by pab0967, at 17:24 11 Dec 2021

    I can see this going the same way as Ozil, paying a huge wage to someone that really doesn't give a ****, sell him

    • Reply posted by organizedconfusion, at 18:01 11 Dec 2021

      organizedconfusion replied:
      no buyers.

  • Comment posted by P38 W26 D12 L0, at 17:04 11 Dec 2021

    Aubameyang dropped for Southampton match because of "a disciplinary breach''.

    So he's been terrible on the pitch all season and clearly has not exactly been great off the pitch either. He should be stripped of the club captaincy.

    Real competition up front might just help focus Aubameyang's mind.
    The Arsenal should go all out to get Dusan Vlahovic from Fiorentina.

    • Reply posted by Vincent, at 17:41 11 Dec 2021

      Vincent replied:
      He was a great player not too long ago and we loved him... is it right for us to turn on him while he's dealing with issues? I agree he should only be selected on form, he's lacking form right now, but a striker that's had a run of bad luck is due some good luck too, I'm happy to support him, next time out he'll do well again - if we let him.

  • Comment posted by Specialist_in_tailoring, at 16:56 11 Dec 2021

    This week, penalties (mostly dodgy) needed to get 3 points:
    Man City - 1
    Liverpool – 1
    Chelsea – 2
    Arsenal – Big Fat zero

    Well played boys

    • Reply posted by Noisy Neighbour, at 17:12 11 Dec 2021

      Noisy Neighbour replied:
      Wow well done! You must be so proud! Come and talk when there are some stats you can offer that matter, for instance how many European Cups Arsenal have, or on why they have not won a League title for over 15 years, but it's ok you won without a Penalty against the mighty Saints 🤣🤣🤣

  • Comment posted by thepoet, at 17:13 11 Dec 2021

    Credit to Arsenal, considering they were near the bottom of the table avoiding relegation battle, now the possibility of finishing I. 4th place.
    👏👏👏

    • Reply posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 17:17 11 Dec 2021

      liverpool supporter right here replied:
      Good to see the fans leaving when the team was three goals up

  • Comment posted by Goomantoong, at 17:01 11 Dec 2021

    The script writes itself with Saints. Look promising, good attacking, concede a goal, concede a second goal, go into a state of motionless inertia and back passing for thirty minutes, concede a third goal, then decide they had better try and stop the rot with a few tickling shots at the oppositions goal. Accept their defeat graiciously with excuses to follow shortly.

    • Reply posted by Simon, at 17:04 11 Dec 2021

      Simon replied:
      Sadly you are correct.

  • Comment posted by richard48, at 17:15 11 Dec 2021

    I think Arsenal are trying to offload the wrong striker!

    • Reply posted by Deano, at 17:51 11 Dec 2021

      Deano replied:
      Well it wouldn't be the first time we have sold the wrong player in a certain position. Id keep Laca, doesnt score enough but atleast works his socks off and can work as a unit, Auba on the other hand offers nothing if he doesn't score

  • Comment posted by SKS equals 2FC, at 17:34 11 Dec 2021

    PEA showing yet again that he's unfit to be club captain, as I posted last week. Lazy waste of space. Gunners better off without him.

    • Reply posted by PWebb, at 17:55 11 Dec 2021

      PWebb replied:
      You get your wish, June 2023

  • Comment posted by TheUglyTruth, at 17:05 11 Dec 2021

    Time to get rid of Auba. Sign an elite striker in January and Arsenal will challenge for top 4.

    • Reply posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 17:08 11 Dec 2021

      liverpool supporter right here replied:
      How much would Aubameyang go for if the club decide to sell him in January

  • Comment posted by Trollbasher, at 17:09 11 Dec 2021

    Liverpool fan here....Arsenal certainly look the best 'of the rest'. Well done to the board for keeping faith with Arteta.

    • Reply posted by faith, at 17:20 11 Dec 2021

      faith replied:
      Mr Moyes might have something to say about that.

  • Comment posted by LionelRhodes, at 17:47 11 Dec 2021

    Was that Glen Hoddle on commentary? One my feed sure it was him. So anti - Arsenal it's unprofessional. He starts off by saying - oh arsenal have spent a lot on transfers recenlty but unwisely. Then goes on to say White & Ramsdale are good...Tomi...Tierney...Odegaard is finding form...?! I'm thinking but Glen - those are recent signings mate! Sambi & Nuno have looked good too?!

    • Reply posted by Darth Flowers, at 17:50 11 Dec 2021

      Darth Flowers replied:
      To be fair he did play for Spurs when they last had silverware consistency. In 1852.

  • Comment posted by Abolish the TV License , at 16:57 11 Dec 2021

    Once again we have proved we can drop aubameyang and still win. Time to sell him and get a young striker who will actually give a damn about this club.

    • Reply posted by Adam West, at 17:02 11 Dec 2021

      Adam West replied:
      Not a Gunner myself but you would have thought they would have learned given how Ozil absolutely fleeced them.
      You are bang on.

  • Comment posted by sirpdwc, at 17:55 11 Dec 2021

    Arsenal are so much better when Martinelli plays. He is quick, strong and provides a great outlet for the long ball. Lacazette is also key to the way we play. So why are we selling him exactly? If we need money, Auba, Pepe and Xhaka are all begging to be sold tomorrow.

    • Reply posted by Vincent, at 19:16 11 Dec 2021

      Vincent replied:
      I think Pepe has some magic, I'd be happy if he stayed, I like him. Laca I've always liked - I wonder how much his agent has to do with contract issues.

  • Comment posted by organizedconfusion, at 17:57 11 Dec 2021

    Just found out that Aubamayang gets £350k a week, Arsenal & Football in general are sick.

    • Reply posted by ellis , at 17:58 11 Dec 2021

      ellis replied:
      spot on

  • Comment posted by Gunner-Idiot, at 17:21 11 Dec 2021

    There have been moments (just moments) of optimism this year and they mostly revolve around the youngsters. I won't skate PA as he has been good for us and pretty much won the FA cup for us single handed however, I think it's time to phase him out and bring in a younger hungrier striker who fits this current crops ethos.

    • Reply posted by JumpinJeffFarmer, at 17:24 11 Dec 2021

      JumpinJeffFarmer replied:
      I agree with you but I think we may also be over reacting. Auba is still a good striker but maybe the way we play doesn’t suit him. It’s bound to frustrate him. Let’s support him and let’s support the club

  • Comment posted by Trowers, at 16:57 11 Dec 2021

    Saints look like a team heading for a relegation battle. Poor

    • Reply posted by steggsy, at 17:01 11 Dec 2021

      steggsy replied:
      We're always heading there.

  • Comment posted by me2you2me2you, at 17:23 11 Dec 2021

    I was at Highbury in '87 when Saints beat Arsenal to end their record unbeaten run. Those were the days, but long gone

    • Reply posted by skin, at 18:00 11 Dec 2021

      skin replied:
      Was that when Fatty Clarke scored the winner?

  • Comment posted by TV, at 17:43 11 Dec 2021

    If Auba has broken Arteta's disciplinary rules then he needs to be stripped of the captaincy permanently.
    This is not the first time he has done this either.
    As a captain you are meant to be a leader of the team.He is taking the pee...
    Leave him on the bench for a few games as he is offering very little on the pitch!!

    • Reply posted by LionelRhodes, at 17:54 11 Dec 2021

      LionelRhodes replied:
      Agreed.

  • Comment posted by wemarchon, at 17:04 11 Dec 2021

    Sadly looks like we are going to rely on 3 teams being worse than us again this season !
    Thankfully the other results went our way today

  • Comment posted by over, at 17:19 11 Dec 2021

    Confused. I thought Arsenal were nailed on for relegation.