Chapter 142 - Arsenal(3)

In the 53rd minute, Southampton started the attack with a counter-movement between Rustan and Freddy. Rustan went down to lure Kieran Gibbs forward, while Freddy ran forward to exploit the gap left by Kieran Gibbs.

After that, Freddy received the pass that provided by Orlando. Alex Oxlade-chamberlain cut off Freddy's run path. Freddy was about to give a pass, but he saw that all his teammates were being guarded tightly. Freddy did a forward lob pass to Kazuki and Osmund, he hope they were be able to receive the pass.

Kazuki fought against Vermaelen to head the ball. He headed the ball towards Osmund. Osmund then kicked the ball. But Szczesny's hand reached the ball and threw it away from the net. Osmund apologized to Kazuki for failing to take advantage of the pass. Despite being annoyed, Kazuki nodded at Osmund.

In the 59th minute, Rudolf gave the ball to Kazuki who went backward to help Southampton build on the attack. Kazuki passed the ball to Wright-Phillips. Arsenal right-back Jenkinson and Arsenal defensive midfielder Mikel Arteta put pressure on Wright-Phillips and Kazuki. However, Ben Carter overlapped to help both. Wright-Phillips found Benson and ran forward. Benson provided a long pass for Wright-Phillips.

Jenkinson competed with Wright-Phillips for the ball. Wright-Phillips managed to get the ball, he pulled the ball back and then turned his body. He passed the ball to Kazuki who was following him from behind. Kazuki received the ball at that moment Mikel Arteta pushed on him, he then pushed the ball through the gap between Arteta's legs. He passed Arteta, after which, he provided a pass to the right side of the Arsenal penalty box.

Rustan managed to receive the ball well. Kieran Gibbs and also Alex Oxlade-chamberlain covered Rustan's space, so he couldn't shoot at Arsenal's net. Rustan did a fake shot to fool the two. Then, he pushed the ball to the side and passed it forward. Osmund ran to catch the ball, however, Szczesny managed to get the ball before Osmund could kick the ball.

In the 63rd minute, Arsenal attacked Southampton. Alex Oxlade-chamberlain got the ball after snatching it from Orlando. He ran to bring the ball into the Southampton defense area. He gave the ball to Santi Cazorla. Okhalo tried to steal the ball from Cazorla, but Cazorla managed to avoid Okhalo, he then provided a through ball to the left. Theo Walcott came on from the flanks to run with Freddy to get the ball through. Walcott managed to get the ball. He provided a sharp pass to the right side with one touch.

Podolski deflected the ball into the Southampton goalpost with his right foot. The ball rolled into the Southampton net. But Dean Smith managed to extend his legs and hold the ball kick Podolski. The ball bounced off the field. Southampton was able to withstand attacks from Arsenal in critical condition.

In the 70th minute, Bennett came on for Osmund and Rudolf came on for Wright-Phillips. George gave instructions that Southampton would change their formation to 4-3-2-1. This formation was definitely more defensive than before. However, Southampton still had Rustan as the initiator of the counterattack and then Kazuki as the executor.

In the 73rd minute, Arsenal's opportunity came. Vermaelen managed to snatch the ball from Kazuki. He gave the ball to Mikel Arteta. The Arsenal midfielder received the ball from Vermaelen and dribbled it while the rest of the players started moving towards the Southampton defense.

Arteta provided a long pass to Cazorla. Cazorla received the ball using his chest. He controlled the ball, he kicked the ball past Rudolf's head who was behind him, at the same time, Cazorla turned and ran past Rudolf.

Cazorla pushed the ball forward then gave a flat pass to the right. Welbeck quickened his pace, he passed Ben Carter. Welbeck changed his direction to a diagonal towards the middle of the penalty box. Then, he curled a pass towards Podolski. The Arsenal striker used his speed to receive the ball, but just as he was about to shoot, Okhalo made a tackle to block Podolski's shot.

The ball bounced to the left of the penalty box. Freddy gets the ball but Theo Walcott and Cazorla press Freddy to let the ball go. Freddy was threw the ball out of the field.

Moments later, Arsenal threw the ball into the field. The player who threw the ball was Kieran Gibbs. The Arsenal left-back threw the ball to Alex Oxlade-chamberlain. The player gave the ball to Cazorla. Simone clung to Cazorla, he was trying to steal the ball. Cazorla sent a through ball on Theo Walcott.

Walcott tried to fool Freddy, but the Southampton right-back was not fooled by Walcott's fake move. The Arsenal winger didn't push himself past Freddy, he gave a pass towards Cazorla. Cazorla changed the direction of the ball to the right suddenly. He then kicked the ball hard. The ball spun towards the top right corner of the Southampton goalpost. Dean Smith managed to block the ball with his hands. The ball bounced into the middle of the penalty box. Podolski swiftly grabbed the ball and kicked it towards the net.

Luckily there was Hilton, he blocked Podolski's kick, so Arsenal for the umpteenth time failed to score. Failure after failure adds the heavy burden on the shoulders of the Gunners. Although the score wad still 1-0 but they were starting to feel that 1-0 is too hard to chase. Southampton run their defense well. they built a solid wall so it was difficult for Arsenal to break down their defense.

In the 78th minute, Dean Smith caught Cazorla's kick from outside the penalty box. He then threw it to Simone. Simone received the ball and passed it to Rudolf. Rudolf dodged Cazorla and then provided a through ball to Orlando. Orlando got rid of Alex Oxlade-chamberlain. After that he sent a long pass towards Rustan who was free from guard.

Rustan received the ball and turned the direction of his run. Vermaelen was trying to bring down Rustan. But Rustan only lost his balance for a moment before continuing to run again. Then he passed the ball to Kazuki. Koscielny really dragged Kazuki into a less than ideal angle. Kazuki was forced to pass the ball to Bennet.

Bennett took the pass. He faced the Arsenal goalkeeper one on one. Bennet then tricked Szczesny, then kicked the ball into the goalpost. The thunderous cheers of Southampton fans echoed through St Marry's stadium. This goal made Arsenal's burden even heavier. They had to score two goals in less than 15 minutes.

Winters continued to encourage Arsenal from the side of the field. Towards the last minute Arsenal really attacked Southampton like crazy. Even Szczesny stepped up to help the attack. In the final minutes Arsenal got a free kick. Cazorla executed the kick well. Arsenal replied to Southampton a goal.. However, the goal was Arsenal's last goal in this match.