Arsenal Vs Southampton: 5 things we learned – Job done

3. Kieran Tierney shows what has been missing

Inserted into the starting XI in place of Sead Kolasinac, but still playing a half left centre-back half left-back role, Kieran Tierney showed what Mikel Arteta wants from the more reserve full-back position: composure, consistency, and tempo-setting distribution.

The Scottish international was excellent in possession. He played a lovely early pass over the top for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who then crashed his shot against the crossbar. He played another lovely switch of play to Hector Bellerin later in the first half. Routinely, when Arsenal were able to break out of the Southampton pressure, it came from Tierney playing a key pass into central midfield.

You could certainly question whether this is Tierney’s best position. He is a terrific crosser and can be an offensive threat when pushing into the final third. In this more conservative manner, Tierney does not bomb forwards as he did earlier in the season. He remains deep in his starting position and shuttles possession forwards, rather than creating from advanced wide areas.

Nevertheless, Tierney’s position aided Arsenal’s domination of possession, helped the team play out from the back, and provided the protection to allow Bukayo Saka to drift into the wide channel from central midfield. This is the left-back impact Arteta wants, and Tierney is the ideal player to provide it.

<p>Here are five things we learned from the 2-0 win.</p> <div id="attachment_102600" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102600" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1222896869-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>5. The best Rob Holding returns</h4> <p>Thanks to David Luiz’s suspension and injuries to Pablo Mari and Sokratis, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=arsenal%22>Rob Holding</a> was handed his rare chance to start under Mikel Arteta at the weekend. It was his first Premier League start since Arteta arrived and, at times, it looked like it, especially when he took too many touches to release the ball.</p> <p>On this occasion, though, Holding was back to his very best, the type of form that made him a key player in Unai Emery’s first few months at the club. Eight clearances, two blocked shots, winning all four of his aerial duels, he was a stalwart at defensive set-pieces and marshalled the defensive line excellently when under pressure in the second half.</p> <p>He was also Arsenal’s most accurate passer, completing 88% of his attempts. Calm and composed in possession, he and Kieran Tierney repeatedly linked up to release play from deep areas in the pitch. Holding looked back to his most assured, confident best. After 18 months of injury hell, it was most pleasing to see.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. What is the deal with Matteo Guendouzi? </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_102585" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102585" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1221139214-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by RICHARD HEATHCOTE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>4. What is the deal with Matteo Guendouzi?</h4> <p>After his chokehold of Neal Maupay following Arsenal’s defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion last Saturday,<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=matteo+guendouzi%22> Matteo Guendouzi</a> was suspiciously dropped from the matchday squad entirely for the trip to Southampton here. Granit Xhaka returned to the starting XI after a week absence through injury and Guendouzi was not even given a role on the bench.</p> <p>Mikel Arteta was asked about the decision before the match. Speaking to Sky Sports, via James Benge, he said:</p> <blockquote class="left ampstart-">“It’s squad management. Whatever internal issue we have, we deal with it privately. The needs of the team and football club are always the same, put the best players on the football pitch that are 100% focused to win the game.”</blockquote> <p>What the real reason is, we do not yet know, but something is going on here. As ever, time will have to tell.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. Kieran Tierney shows what has been missing </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_102599" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102599" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1222902002-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>3. Kieran Tierney shows what has been missing</h4> <p>Inserted into the starting XI in place of Sead Kolasinac, but still playing a half left centre-back half left-back role,<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=kieran+tierney%22> Kieran Tierney</a> showed what Mikel Arteta wants from the more reserve full-back position: composure, consistency, and tempo-setting distribution.</p> <div class="recent-posts "> <h4>More from <b>Pain in the Arsenal</b></h4> <ul> <li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/arsenal-interest-miguel-gutierrez-girona/"> Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/"> When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury? </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/"> 2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/"> Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023 </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/"> Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start? </a> </li></ul> </div> <p>The Scottish international was excellent in possession. He played a lovely early pass over the top for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who then crashed his shot against the crossbar. He played another lovely switch of play to Hector Bellerin later in the first half. Routinely, when Arsenal were able to break out of the Southampton pressure, it came from Tierney playing a key pass into central midfield.</p> <p>You could certainly question whether this is Tierney’s best position. He is a terrific crosser and can be an offensive threat when pushing into the final third. In this more conservative manner, Tierney does not bomb forwards as he did earlier in the season. He remains deep in his starting position and shuttles possession forwards, rather than creating from advanced wide areas.</p> <p>Nevertheless, Tierney’s position aided Arsenal’s domination of possession, helped the team play out from the back, and provided the protection to allow Bukayo Saka to drift into the wide channel from central midfield. This is the left-back impact Arteta wants, and Tierney is the ideal player to provide it.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Breaking down Arteta's system change </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_102597" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102597" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1222900351-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by ANDREW MATTHEWS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>2. Breaking down Arteta’s system change</h4> <p>Prior to lockdown,<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=mikel+arteta%22> Mikel Arteta</a> exclusively used a 4-2-3-1 formation with Mesut Ozil operating in the number 10 position. He has entirely abandoned that system since the Premier League’s return. And in the last two matches, he has settled on a lopsided 4-3-3 shape that often resembles a back three with wing-backs.</p> <p>While starting in a 4-3-3, Bukayo Saka as a left-sided central midfielder drifted to the left flank, Kieran Tierney remained deeper in his position, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang again drifted centrally. This positional rotation has two key aims in mind: to release Saka down the left flank as a ball progressing wing-back who can impact play in the final third; to provide Aubameyang with the opportunity to drive forward, making those outside-to-inside runs that he times so brilliantly.</p> <p>Did it work? Well, yes, at times. Aubameyang was threatening throughout with those exact movements, though his final ball was poor. Saka, meanwhile, was excellent again and often used as Arsenal’s primary outlet, while defensively, Tierney’s more conservative approach provided greater balance to the team. It will be fascinating to see how this tactical approach evolves in the coming weeks.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. A midfielder is needed </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_102598" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102598" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1222902277-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>1. A midfielder is needed</h4> <p>After missing a week with an ankle injury he suffered against City, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=granit+xhaka%22>Granit Xhaka</a> immediately returned to the starting XI upon his availability. The Swiss international has been integral to Arteta’s central midfield, and he was again here, this time playing a more orthodox holding role than the left-sided role he played in prior to lockdown.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia"> <div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_102582" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/PainintheArsenal/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet") .addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet"); }); </script> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>Xhaka was joined by Dani Ceballos, the pair tasked with dictating play from deep, allowing Arsenal to play out from the back, and supplying the front three in more advanced areas of the pitch. Neither was especially influential, and while Xhaka’s performance was encouraging in the first half, his second-half showing was disastrous.</p> <p>Ceballos’ passing accuracy in his last three games was 80%, 76% and 76%. He completed the same number of final-third passes than Emiliano Martinez. Xhaka, meanwhile, had just 32 touches in a first half that Arsenal dominated. He played only 26 passes, of which 15 were backwards. By the end of the match, he had 52 touches, one fewer than Ceballos.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Arsenal Vs Southampton: Player ratings" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-player-ratings-eddie-nketiah-rescues-gunners/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-5-things-learned-job-done/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/25/arsenal-vs-southampton-player-ratings-eddie-nketiah-rescues-gunners/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Arsenal Vs Southampton: Player ratings </a> </div> </div> <p>It is quite clear. Arsenal need a central midfielder. They lacked control, could not contain Southampton, and consistently failed to play out from the back. Xhaka and Ceballos are not the solutions, and yet, at present, they are the best Arteta has got available to him.</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">