New-signings Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez both made their debuts for Arsenal on Saturday against Southampton. However, it was old hand Mustafi’s defensive partner Laurent Koscielny, on his 31st birthday, who really lit up the Emirates, via a fabulous overhead kick.
Arsenal found themselves behind on 18 minutes, after a Dusan Tadic free-kick hit the crossbar before rebounding in off the unfortunate Petr Cech.
However, on 29 minutes, the Gunners fought back, with Koscielny producing the kind of finish you wouldn’t really expect from a centre-half…
Despite being boosted by that cracking Koscielny effort, Arsene Wenger’s men struggled to break down an organised Saints side. However, at the death, Jose Fonte grappled with sub Olivier Giroud in the visitors’ box, with ref Robert Madley pointing to the spot.
Santi Cazorla fired home the resulting penalty to win all three points for the north Londoners and break Saints’ hearts. Indeed, after the game, Fonte was less than impressed by the penalty decision…
As for Arsenal, despite the victory, they’ll need to improve if they are to mount a serious title challenge this season.