Mikel Arteta praises Alexandre Lacazette as Arsenal beat Southampton 3-0

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Arsenal got back to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Southampton, as Alexandre Lacazette, Gabriel, and Martin Odegaard all scored for the Gunners this afternoon.

It was a much needed win for Arsenal. Results have dipped in recent weeks and pressure was once again beginning to build on Mikel Arteta. Prior to the game, Arteta suffered another blow to his selection. The Gunners boss revealing that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had been left out due to a disciplinary breach.

However, it didn’t affect the mood on the pitch. The Gunners took their chances despite Southampton playing well, and got a big three points for their efforts. In the end, the second 45 was more comfortable and Gabriel’s goal ensured a cruise to the finish.

A number of Arsenal players put in good performances. And after the game, Mikel Arteta was quick to point out the effort from Alexandre Lacazette in today’s win.

“I was really happy with him, he has done everything we asked him to do in the game. First of all he has come in and his defensive actions were top, and then the way he linked in, the way he understood the spaces and the threat that he was in the box,” Arteta told Arsenal’s official website.

“That’s why he scored the goal and he had opportunities to do that. He really affected the team and I am really pleased with him.”

TBR’s View: Aubameyang’s Loss Is Alex Lacazette’s Gain For Arsenal

While ‘Auba’ continues to test the patience of Arteta – both on and off the field it seems – a door opens for someone else and that man was Lacazette today. And boy, did he take his chance.

The Frenchman oozed class at times and fully deserved his goal. He looked a threat dropping deep, and with young and willing runners around him, he excelled.

For Aubameyang, it seems a long road back. Arteta looked completely unimpressed with his skipper. Indeed, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him lose the armband now as well.