Arsenal managed to eke out a fortuitous victory over Southampton on Saturday evening as a controversial 94th minute penalty helped them edge out their opponents.
Southampton took a shock lead after just 18 minutes when Dusan Tadic’s free kick on the edge of the box hit the bar and then rebounded in off Arsenal keeper Petr Cech. However, Laurent Koscielny drew Arsenal level with a stunning overhead kick at the half hour mark.
Arsenal then struggled to find a way through. But the Gunners eventually found a winner when Jose Fonte brought down Giroud in the box and Cazorla tucked away the subsequent spot kick. The Southampton players and fans questioned the penalty after the game with Jose Fonte appearing to win the ball from Olivier Giroud pretty cleanly.
Later, after the match, Mesut Ozil himself took to Instagram to admit that it was a fortunate win for Arsenal. Ozil wrote, “Tough fight & fortunate win In the end it’s only the 3 points that count! #AFCvSFC #FirstNeverFollows @premierleague @arsenal”.
Also, Southampton player Jose Fonte took to Instagram to post an apology letter to the fans regarding his tackle and also thanked them for their support throughout the whole match.
Fonte wrote, “Just want to say thank you for the support and also for every fan that came to the game today! No one more then me feels hard done by and disappointed, you can feel the same but not more then me! When Giroud asks me who gave the penalty away that says it all, if you haven’t watched the game and come to criticise please save me that! We will keep our heads up and eager to turn this bad fortune around. Once again I appreciate the love. #wemarchon.”
However, it was a spirited performance from the Saints, who had their own chances. They should take heart from this match and move on with their upcoming fixtures.
Arsenal looked bright throughout but they need to be more clinical up front.
With this victory, Arsenal move up to the sixth place in the standings while Southampton stay in the 18th position.
