The Saints shock Arsene Wenger's side with a superb performance against a disjointed home side to snap their 19-game unbeaten streak
Southampton stunned Arsenal at the Emirates again to reach the EFL Cup
semi-finals.
The south coast side repeated their third-round victory here two years ago to reach the league cup last four for the first time since 1987.
Jordy Clasie and Ryan Bertrand were Southampton's unlikely goal heroes against under-par Arsenal.
Clasie opened his account for Southampton when he fired them into a 13th minute lead after Sofiane Boufal's goal bound shot was blocked.
And Bertrand gave Arsenal a mountain too big to climb when he drilled in Southampton's second in the 38th minute.
semi-finals.
The south coast side repeated their third-round victory here two years ago to reach the league cup last four for the first time since 1987.
Jordy Clasie and Ryan Bertrand were Southampton's unlikely goal heroes against under-par Arsenal.
Clasie opened his account for Southampton when he fired them into a 13th minute lead after Sofiane Boufal's goal bound shot was blocked.
And Bertrand gave Arsenal a mountain too big to climb when he drilled in Southampton's second in the 38th minute.
1. Arsenal wake up too late
Arsenal paid the price for a poor first half as they tumbled out of the EFL Cup.
They were well off the pace all over the pitch before half time, short
of ideas, sloppy in possession and looked largely disinterested.
They failed to register a singe shot on target in the opening 45
minutes and were punished by a Southampton side who were the total
opposite of Arsenal.
The Gunners improved after the break – they could hardly be much worse
– and it was a bit more of an even contest but by then it was already
too little too late.
They were well off the pace all over the pitch before half time, short
of ideas, sloppy in possession and looked largely disinterested.
They failed to register a singe shot on target in the opening 45
minutes and were punished by a Southampton side who were the total
opposite of Arsenal.
The Gunners improved after the break – they could hardly be much worse
– and it was a bit more of an even contest but by then it was already
too little too late.
2. History repeats itself
Arsenal might well have fancied their chances of reaching the semis
after being handed a home draw against Southampton.
But Southampton stunned Arsenal at the Emirates once more, just as
they did two seasons ago.
In 2014 they recorded a 2-1 win here to reach round four.
This time Southampton's prize for an even more comprehensive win, and
Claude Puel's for outwitting his former Monaco manager Arsene Wenger,
was even greater - a place in the last four.
3. Familiarity breeds victory
against Arsenal.
He has chopped and changed his side this season in all three
competitions – Premier League, Europa League ad EFL Cup - they are in.
And the result is all of his players are now ready to hit the ground
running when they are called on.
That was the case against Arsenal when he picked a side similar to the
ones he has fielded in the Europa League.
Puel's men had much more game time and match rhythm under their belts
and didn't look like they had come in from the cold to play.
By contrast, Arsenal looked disjointed in the first half, when the
damage was done, and at times played like strangers.
He has chopped and changed his side this season in all three
competitions – Premier League, Europa League ad EFL Cup - they are in.
And the result is all of his players are now ready to hit the ground
running when they are called on.
That was the case against Arsenal when he picked a side similar to the
ones he has fielded in the Europa League.
Puel's men had much more game time and match rhythm under their belts
and didn't look like they had come in from the cold to play.
By contrast, Arsenal looked disjointed in the first half, when the
damage was done, and at times played like strangers.
4. Harrison Reed is yet another wonder kid from Saints' academy
It seems a week doesn't go by without a Southampton youngster impressing.
His display wasn't as spectacular as winger Josh Sims's debut against
Everton but Harrison Reed was no less effective against Arsenal.
Tigerish midfielder Reed, 21, was handed just his 10th start since his
debut in 2013.
And he anchored the Southampton midfield with a calmness and composure
that belied his inexperience.
Reed was always in space and available for a pass, kept possession,
moved the ball and read the game well.
This was only his fourth appearance this season but on this evidence
more will be coming his way.
His display wasn't as spectacular as winger Josh Sims's debut against
Everton but Harrison Reed was no less effective against Arsenal.
Tigerish midfielder Reed, 21, was handed just his 10th start since his
debut in 2013.
And he anchored the Southampton midfield with a calmness and composure
that belied his inexperience.
Reed was always in space and available for a pass, kept possession,
moved the ball and read the game well.
This was only his fourth appearance this season but on this evidence
more will be coming his way.
5. Southampton keep spotting gems
Southampton's policy of snapping up highly-rated, young talents while
others dilly dally over whether to take the plunge could well pay off
again with Sofiane Boufal.
Though he was a £21m club record purchase he has largely gone under
the radar having arrived injured, delaying his debut.
But the Moroccan winger has shown glimpses of his considerable ability
in the EFL Cup.
He scored a wonder goal in the last round against Sunderland and
sparkled again in this competition at the Emirates with flashes of
fancy footwork.
He looks like another one to watch.
others dilly dally over whether to take the plunge could well pay off
again with Sofiane Boufal.
Though he was a £21m club record purchase he has largely gone under
the radar having arrived injured, delaying his debut.
But the Moroccan winger has shown glimpses of his considerable ability
in the EFL Cup.
He scored a wonder goal in the last round against Sunderland and
sparkled again in this competition at the Emirates with flashes of
fancy footwork.
He looks like another one to watch.
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