ARSENAL ON RAMPAGE AGAINST THE SAINTS

 ARSENAL thrashed newly promoted Southampton 6-1 in a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Gervinho, playing as a central striker, scored twice, the impressive Lukas Podolski netted with a terrific free-kick while Theo Walcott — jeered by some fans when arriving as a sub — completed the rout against his former club.

Arsenal’s opener illustrated Podolski’s bloody-minded attitude. He had initially lost the ball to Jos Hooiveld but showed power and determination to win the ball back.
 

The German raced forward before threading the ball between Jose Fonte and Nathaniel Clyne towards Kieran Gibbs.

 

The defender’s cross was parried by Kelvin Davis but the ball hit Hooiveld and trickled into the net.

Hooiveld’s disastrous afternoon was soon ended by a calf injury and it all continued to get worse for Saints boss Nigel Adkins when Podolski managed to swing a free-kick over the wall and into the net.

A difficult challenge for the visitors became an impossible one.

Like the opening goal, they were opened up far too easily with Mikel Arteta sending a delicate chip over the head of Japanese sub defender Maya Yoshida.

He needed to be given his instructions via an interpreter before entering the field. But Yoshida clearly did not hear what was required, as his slack positional play allowed Gervinho a clear run on goal before a right-foot shot beat Davis at his near post in the 35th minute.

The battering continued with a third goal in six mad minutes although it was tinged with some more good fortune.

Gervinho was given yet more space, he played the ball out to Gibbs and yet again, he played a part in a goal as his cross was turned in by Clyne.

Remarkably, there was one final goal left in an astonishing 45 minutes due to a shocking error by Wojciech Szczesny to reduce the deficit 1-4.

Walcott scored Arsenal's sixth

After the break, it took a while for the home side to have a good look at goal. Normal service was eventually resumed with Arsenal grabbing the fifth. Four minutes after arriving as a sub, Aaron Ramsey picked up a clever pass from Santi Cazorla, who continues to impress, and jinked into the box.

His shot hit the post but Gervinho reacted first and scuffed the ball into the net.

This was certainly one of Gervinho’s better games and he was given a standing ovation when substituted for Walcott 16 minutes from time.

Walcott, yet to agree a new contract, received some jeers but after after Thomas Vermaelen’s shot was parried by Davis he stroked in the sixth. There was no celebration from Walcott against the team which gave him his big chance.