Arsenal yet again found themselves in the headlines post their fixture against Southampton in the English Premier League (EPL) on Wednesday at the Emirates Stadium. Despite their draw against the Saints at home broke their losing streak at home, it didn’t change their fortunes in favour of a win. Arsenal are now winless in six games. In another PL fixture, Everton thumped Leicester City 2-0.
Arsenal vs Southampton
Red cards, violent conducts, five losses in a trot, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal just can’t evade controversy and flack in the Premier League 2020-21 season. On Wednesday Arsenal hosted the Saints poised for a win but concluded the game with a point. They are now in the 15th place of the table.
Former Gunner’s player Theo Walcott drew first blood for Southampton in the 18th minute. From a defence-splitting pass of Che Adams, Walcott found the ball ahead of the Arsenal defenders from the right-wing as he dinked it over Leno to take the visitors ahead. Arsenal were lacklustre throughout but Eddie Nketiah and Bukhayo Saka’s efforts were rewarded when Aubameyang finished with a clinical shot in the 52nd minute.
Misfortune followed soon when centre back Gabriel was sent off in the 62nd minute. Since Arteta’s first PL game in charge (Boxing Day 2019), Arsenal have been shown seven red cards, four more than any other Premier League side during that period.
Leicester City vs Everton
In other midweek fixtures, Everton beat the foxes at the King Power stadium 0-2. The Toffees scored in each half to beat fellow Champions League hopefuls Leicester as they moved back into the top five. Richarlison cut in from the left before beating Kasper Schmeichel with a low strike in the 21st minute. Everton’s Mason Holgate dabbed the ball in from a rebound after Schmeichel made a fine double save from a corner in the 72nd minute.
Liverpool vs Tottenham
On Wednesday, defending champions Liverpool demented the top spot ahead of Christmas week as they beat Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield. Liverpool’s early dominance was rewarded when Mohamed Salah’s deflected shot put them in in front in the 26th minute. Spurs soon brought themselves back level as Son Heung-min finished coolly past Alisson just seven minutes later from a Lo Celso pass. Steven Bergwijn and Harry Kane both squandered glorious opportunities to put Tottenham ahead but Roberto Firmino headed in the winner at the death to earn all three points for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Wolves vs Chelsea
On Tuesday, Frank Lampard’s Chelsea found them flummoxed by Wolverhampton. Despite Olivier Giroud’s opener, the Wolves clawed their way back in through Daniel Podence’s strike in the 66th minute and a stoppage-time winner from Pedro Neto.
Manchester City vs West Brom
Pep Guardiola’s boys have now gone without a win in their last 2 games as they moved up to the 8th place. Manchester City survived an own goal scare from Ruben Dias. They held their nerves till the last minute to see the game end in a draw. Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoresheet for City in the 30th minute.
