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Arsenal: The Gunners retain fourth place after 2-0 victory over Southampton

By Ashley Anthony

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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What a Sunday for the Gunners after United and Liverpool ended their game with the points shared at Old Trafford. Arsenal moves back into fourth after a clean sheet and two goals scored.

The Emirates Stadium was in celebration after a commanding performance against strugglers Southampton. Unai’s men played ball all day long. The home side recorded 582 passes throughout the game while owning 63% of the game’s ball possession.

What was surprising is how well Ralph’s Saints did in a game they barely touched the ball in. They registered 10 shots on goal, two less than the hosts, while the two equalled the same amount of shots on target (4).

The goals came cutesy of a rested Alexandre Lacazette and midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Both goals were scored in the first half of the game. This appeared to have knocked the wind out the visitors’ sails, with them not responding all afternoon.

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The home team – Arsenal

Arsenal has now gone 25 games without a loss against the Saints when playing at home. They’ve now also extended their unbeaten streak at home to 14 games since the start of the campaign.

That keeps them on a healthy run now with them only losing three games in the last 10 Premier League meetings. This is, however, their first clean sheet after four games since their Chelsea victory a month ago.

They pull up back into fourth place after their good showing and come up against Bournemouth on Wednesday night in Matchday 28. Man of the Match has to be handed to Alexandre Lacazette. A good way to apologise for getting sent off in their Europa League fixture.

Next. Wolves look to maintain unbeaten run. dark

The visitors – Southampton

After this loss, Ralph has now failed to win a fixture in the last four games. The adrenaline of a new manager has finally worn off. One point behind the next team and one point away from safety. Things are far from lost and it’s only Matchday 28 approaching.

Things could be a lot worse for the St. Mary’s outfit. They could be in this position and still have the doubtful Mark Hughes as a manager. At least with Ralph, the football on the pitch has improved, remarkably.

Their next tie comes up against Fulham for a tasty match in a direct relegation battle.

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