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Southampton 1-0 Arsenal: 3 things learned as Gunners fall to disappointing defeat in “favourite competiton”

By Megan Garbutt

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Gabriel of Arsenal closes down Danny Ings of Southampton during Southampton v Arsenal, The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round, on January 23, 2021 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Gabriel of Arsenal closes down Danny Ings of Southampton during Southampton v Arsenal, The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round, on January 23, 2021 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images) /
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Thomas Partey, Arsenal (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) /

2. Substitutions can make all the difference for Arsenal

When you first look at the line-ups for both teams that played at St Mary’s this afternoon, you see a very strong team that shows they’re looking to get far in the competition and a side that is resting regular league starters and starting players that haven’t really proved their place in the starting line-up recently.

Arteta made seven changes following Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over a struggling Newcastle United, which looking back at the game was not the best idea as portrayed in the first half especially. Players such as Gabriel, Willian and Mohammed Elneny didn’t show confidence on the ball and made silly mistakes, causing Arteta to make some superb changes early on in the second half.

Thomas Partey was introduced to replace Elneny and straight away was getting the ball forward into the final third and making some brilliant passes through the middle. He adds much more depth to the style of play which is something that Arsenal really benefit from and now he has returned from injury, Arteta will be looking to continue to play him regularly.

If Partey, also along with Bukayo Saka and Alex Lacazette who were subbed on, later on, were started, Arsenal will have played with much more passion and pace going forward in the first half. With Partey picking out some brilliant passes and Lacazette getting into positions in the box, more shots on goal could have been created throughout the game if they were introduced earlier.

A game like this was certainly a game where you could pick out individuals on mistakes or praise certain players; it was not a team performance as we have seen in recent weeks.

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