Southampton coach reveals motivation behind six goal-thriller against Arsenal

PREMIER LEAGUE Southampton coach reveals motivation behind six goal-thriller against Arsenal

Kiplagat Sang • 08:50 - 22.04.2023

The Saints almost stunned the Emirates as they showed top-level determination against the Gunners.

Southampton manager Ruben Selles has stated that their main intention against Arsenal was to show that they are a team that is still alive.

The Saints took an early lead when Charly Alcaraz scored before Theo Walcott and Duje Caleta-Car later found the back of the net.

Arsenal fought back with goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka as the teams ended up sharing points from a 3-3 draw.

The Saints are fighting to avoid the chop and were determined to outclass Arsenal on their own turf. Selles has now revealed the main motivation behind their performance at the Emirates.

"We came here with the intention to win the game, to put on a big performance, and to show that we are still a team that is alive," Selles is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"I think we did it. From the very beginning, we showed that we wanted to press high. We got the first goal very early and continued."

The tactician said he was impressed by the character showed by his players against the league leaders.

"Sometimes it's very difficult to play against teams like Arsenal and Man City because they have so much quality and different ways to break your first pressure, but I think we were there. We showed character and different variations we can do," he added.

"We are proud of the work and what we did as a unit together. That's the way we need to follow for the rest of the season. Not long ago, we saw Bournemouth being 2-0 up in this stadium and losing the game 2-3. We were in the game until the very last moment."

Meanwhile, Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu admitted they were disappointed by the outcome in North London.

"I think the immediate sense is disappointment," he told the club’s website.

"To be two goals up with only eight, 10 minutes to go and to concede two goals is really disappointing, but we’ve got to take the positives from it.

"You know, coming here away to the top team in the league and scoring three goals and putting in a really strong performance is something we’ve got to take positives from."

Although the draw might appear to be a big setback for Arsenal, a point will be an encouraging result for the Saints.