Bitter-Sweet Results for Arsenal in a Matter of Days

Arsenal in less than a week had a taste of double experience in varying fashion: one sweet, the other sour. It started with another match with Newcastle United on Monday night after first playing them in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup nine days before. We fell to a draw against Crystal Palace in between the visit of the Magpies to our home.

They again showed great strength like they did in the recent week but like then, we still found a way to crack down on them to secure all three points, thanks to a brace from our captain and one from Bukayo Saka.

Needing a win following the stalemate with Palace, we pressed hard to get a goal but all through the first half, it was all barren. The closest we came was through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s effort which hit the post. Most of our chances came through him.

Minutes into the next half, Alexandre Lacazette flashed one towards the visiting goalkeeper prior to our opening goal. We soon found breathrough as Thomas Partey made a good pass to Auba who raced on to send one past Darlow.

Emile Smith Rowe did well to enter the area, render his marker helpless and do a cut back for the brilliant Saka to double our lead. Our dominance later paid off for a third that was scored by Aubameyang, making it his second for the night.

We sealed victory and today, resumed our defence of the FA Cup trophy. It did not end well for us and we crashed out at the fourth round.

Gabriel’s own goal midway into the first period was what was needed to give Southampton progress to the next phase. The Brazilian in an attempt to deny Kyle's low effort slid the ball into his own net.

It was our first conceded goal in the year 2021. It gave the Saints the boost and it showed in the way they rose to the occasion. When the second half came, we struggled on so we had to introduce Partey and Saka. 

Nothing changed at the end of 90 minutes. It ended 1-0 against us. We kissed goodbye to the FA Cup which we are the current holders of. It was such a nasty experience.

We will be in action against Southampton again three days from now but it will be in the Premier League this time. I hope we get things right so we can return to winning ways. 

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