Gunners boss Arsene Wenger: 'Olivier is a positive character and ready for a battle'

Published: 23 November, 2013
By TOM FOOT at the Emirates

Premier League
ARSENAL 2, SOUTHAMPTON

ARSENE Wenger paid tribute to Olivier Giroud after his match-winning brace put Arsenal four points clear at the top of the Premiership.

He said: "Olivier is a positive character and ready for a battle. He is a little bit different to the rest of our team. But he gives us so much with his link play and mental qualities. I believe, as well, he didn't expect to score so many at this stage of the season."

The Saints, in fourth place before kick-off and boasting the best defence in Premiership, will feel aggrieved after a battling display. The newly promoted side matched the Arsenal for possession and shots, a rare feat at the Emirates, but were undone by a moment of madness from their in-form goalkeeper.

On 22 minutes, Boruc attempted to twist past Giroud in the box – twice, and with a failed Cruyff turn – but was caught out in one of the bungles of the season. The Frenchman, who did well to win the ball cleanly, tapped into an open goal on 22 minutes.

Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino put it down to a "bad day" for Boruc and said he had "100 per cent support for him".

The Gunners started with Giroud up front, Cazorla and Ozil on the wings, with Wilshere, Ramsey and Arteta providing the industry in midfield.

After a slow start, the match came to life on 10 minutes when Wilshere chipped Boruc from an acute angle, but the ball bounced agonisingly against the post and back into the keeper's arms.

Minutes later, Ramsey hit the same post with an outrageous inside-out flick from near the penalty spot, after a whipped-in cross from Ozil.

The Saints were never out of this match and stifled Arsenal in midfield with some quick pressing and fair but heavy challenges, particularly from Wanyama. Lallana forced a finger-tip save from Szczesny after a mistimed clearance from Arteta. He made another after Rodriguez was given space to volley inside the area on 40 minutes.

Southampton started the second half strongly and Szcezsny – solid and commanding throughout – was tested twice in the first five minutes.
Walcott, back from a six-week layoff, came on with 20 minutes to go and almost scored with a rasping long-range effort.

The tie was settled on 85 minutes when Mertesacker's shirt was judged to have been tugged by Fonte inside the box. It was a soft penalty to give away, but Giroud made no mistake from the spot.

Arsenal welcome Marseille to the Emirates in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Arsenal: Wojciech Szczesny, Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Mikel Arteta (Rosicky), Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil (Monreal), Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla (Walcott), Kieran Gibbs.
Subs: Thomas Vermaelen, Tomas Rosicky (Arteta 75), Theo Walcott (Cazorla 70), Nacho Monreal (Ozil 82), Lucas Fabianski, Nicklas Bendtner, Serge Gnarby
Attendance: 60,007