With the ball at Gavin Bazunu’s feet, Mohammed Salisu pulled out to the left flank and within 15 seconds of the Ghanaian receiving his goalkeeper’s pass, it was in the back of Arsenal’s net. Salisu’s contribution didn’t go ignored by Saints fans; it was his pass sent in the direction of Joe Aribo that opened Arsenal up initially. But it would have meant a bit more to Hasenhuttl and the player himself after he had been challenged to improve with the ball in the week ahead of the game. But starting fresh this time around, Salisu has continued to deliver on last season’s promise with an impressive run of form. No doubt he has been aided by the accomplished partners alongside him in Armel Bella-Kotchap and now Duje Caleta-Car but he’s been the constant in this defence. Outside of Bazunu, only James Ward-Prowse has played more minutes than Salisu this season. That said, he hasn’t yet done quite enough yet to satisfy his manager.
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “I see him against the ball very strong and with the ball still a lot of things to improvel. And he knows this. We are always demanding a lot and I think in the past, especially with the ball, I remember when we were flying in autumn last season he played unbelievably with the ball, always calm, using his right and his left leg and he’s not on this level at the moment. We are always very critical with him and we have to push him so that he comes back to this level.”
Hasenhuttl did explain that this kind of demanding criticism is not unique to Salisu – simply the challenge to all at this level.
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “We don’t separate anybody. We criticise the captain like the young player who comes up. Everybody needs to take it because we don’t do it to only jump on them, we want to help them become a better player. This is very important that we are honest with them and try to tell them what is not perfect and what we want to see.”
