MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 02:47:49| >> :120:7818:7818:

Ralph Hasenhuttl credits Arsenal draw for Southampton revival

Ralph Hasenhuttl credits Arsenal draw for Southampton revival
© Reuters
The Austrian believes the seeds of recovery were sown at the Emirates Stadium.

Ralph Hasenhuttl will return to the scene of Southampton's watershed moment when he sends his team into Premier League battle at Arsenal on Wednesday evening.

On November 23 last year, the Saints fought out a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium – indeed, they were only denied victory by Alexandre Lacazette's last-gasp equaliser – four weeks after a 9-0 humiliation by Leicester at St Mary's had left their manager under intense pressure.

Hasenhuttl's response was to adopt a bold new approach, one which has paid handsome dividends since, with his team currently sitting fourth in the Premier League table having collected 23 of the last 30 points ahead of fixtures against the Gunners and Manchester City.

Asked if that game was the start, the Austrian replied: "Yes, you can say that, definitely. It was an interesting game for us and the first time we played in the shape we are still playing now, the moment where we threw all the other things overboard.

"It was the first game after an international break and we changed everything. They were really expecting us to be playing a back five and then we came with 4-2-2-2 and played a fantastic game and yes, it was the start.

"Since then, we have taken a lot of points in the Premier League and as you see, sometimes such games can give you a complete turnaround."

The respective fortunes of the two sides could hardly be in starker focus as they prepare to go head-to-head once again, with Hasenhuttl's opposite number Mikel Arteta firmly in the firing line amid rumours or dressing room unrest following a winless five-game league run which has left Arsenal languishing in 15th place.

However, the Southampton boss is acutely aware that one game can change everything.

He said: "That is the reason why you also must be careful of any opponent who is struggling, because they can also take such a game for a good turnaround, so be careful, be focused, do the best you can do to win the game.

"We have played this season three times against the top-six teams and only took a point against Chelsea. In the other two games against Tottenham and Manchester United we were winning and then a little bit too naïve to take all the points we could have taken, maybe, so we must learn from these games.

"These next games are a good challenge for us against Arsenal and City to show ourselves that we can now also be winning until the last minute."

ID:426503: cacheID:426503:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3639:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Leicester City's James Maddison celebrates scoring against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on December 13, 2020
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week - Vardy, Maddison, Ward-Prowse
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!