Hasenhuttl pleased with Arsenal scalp but two Southampton issues rankle

Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl feels there is still much to work on despite Southampton’s 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Arsenal.

Gabriel’s 24th-minute own goal saw Saints progress to the fifth round of the competition. They were worthy winners against a Gunners side that were on snooze mode until the final 15 minutes.

Mikel Arteta’s men bossed the end of the match but could not find a way through a resolute Southampton rearguard. There were chances at both ends and the hosts were denied a spot kick late on.

The boss was pleased with what he saw but felt his men should have finished the job earlier.

“We had in the first half more punch and more power,” Hasenhuttl told BT Sport. “In the second half it’s normal they have a lift.

“We must make the second goal. We made one or two chances – Shane Long should have got a penalty.”

5: Off the bar! @Prowsey16's corner clips off the woodwork with Leno scrambling! [0-0] pic.twitter.com/usD5GCQow3

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 23, 2021

There was plenty of quality running throughout the Southampton side at St Mary’s. They threatened to run riot in the first period but could not find that second goal.

That would have settled the players down and possibly led to further goals with Arsenal forced to come out earlier on. The Austrian tactician was delighted with the overall display but felt there could have been an improvement in the final third.

“We had early ball wins, but our last decision-making was not always the best,” he added. “In general our work without the ball was good. It was a good team performance today.”

Southampton play Arsenal again in the Premier League on Tuesday. Hasenhuttl feels the FA Cup result will have no bearing on the league encounter.

“(It’s a) different game. I think they have also options for a few changes,” he continued. “For us we must have a look, it was an intense game. But we have two days to recover and then we go again.”

Deserved success on south coast

Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse echoed his manager’s thoughts about the home side’s display. The midfielder was one of a number of players who fired wide for the hosts.

He tried with a couple of free-kicks but was unable to make the keeper work. The triumph was a return to winning ways after the disappointment of going down 2-0 Leicester last Saturday.

There is much to be positive about and Ward-Prowse is eager to find out who they will next face in the cup.

“It’s a good feeling for us,” he told BT Sport. “We deserved to win today. We’re looking forward to the next round now.

“Our pressing was very good. We lacked that second goal to kill the game.”

 

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