Russell Martin Manager
In a match where Arsenal came from behind to defeat the Saints 3-1, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli were crucial in overturning the scoreline in the second half. Despite their efforts, Saints could not capitalize on their attempts, even hitting David Raya’s woodwork twice in a minute. Bukayo Saka confirmed Arsenal’s victory with a goal close to the match’s conclusion. Following the game, Martin expressed mixed emotions about his team’s performance against formidable opposition. Martin expressed pride in his team’s performance and their response to pressure but was frustrated with how goals were conceded.
Martin said, “I feel really proud of the team in a lot of ways. The willingness to defend, fight and run that wasn’t there in the first half on Monday was there in bundles today. They stuck with the game plan, I thought it worked really well. We knew we were going to be under a bit of pressure in the first half especially. We asked them to be a bit braver in the second half, to take the ball and we did that.”
Although Saints managed to take a brief lead, Martin was discontented with how they failed to maintain it and the subsequent events that led to conceding goals.
Martin explained his frustration, saying, “We were not in front for long enough and that’s the only frustration. We have a chance to take the temperature out of the game at that point when Flynn receives the ball. We go back into the bodies and it’s really unfortunate because Flynn’s been amazing again today. The game goes a bit crazy and we have to stick with doing the right things at that moment. Then we’re 2-1 down, trying to chase the game, not accepting just being beaten. We get caught with a third goal which, again, is just not good enough.”
Despite the setback, Martin emphasized that this defeat does not define their season, highlighting positive performances against other strong teams and the need to focus on future matches.
Martin continued, “I think it’s unfair on some individuals that we have conceded so many goals so far. We’re not going to be defined by the result at Arsenal away. We played really brilliantly at Newcastle away and against Manchester United for half an hour at home. They are not the games that are going to define us. We have three of them in the next block of four games. We have to do better in those games. We’ve had a few already against teams that are going to be in and around us and having the same fight to stay in the league or stay established. We have to take the same mentality today.“
