This was a true Spirit Of Southampton win where we had literally had our only 11 fit first team regulars in the starting line up, but we came out of the blocks well, dominated the first half and then dug in as our legs tired and ground out the result.
The starting line up for Saints was still strong even without the injured Redmond, Djenepo, Vestergaard & Romeu, all of whom have played their part this season, especially the latter two.
The bench didn't make such happy reading, Shane Long aside the most experienced player was Yan Valery with around 30 games for the club, the other 7 subs had around 15 games between them and most of those appearances were substitute appearances.
But Saints started well and got into their stride, they were creating the chances and pushing Arsenal back and when the goal came after 24 minutes it was no surprise, it was a great build up a fine overlap by Kyle Walker Peters and a shot that put the ball into the danger area, it was credited to Gabriel, but truthfully it should be given to KWP.
At the break we were comfortable and at the start of the 2nd half we were the ones most likely to score, but as the game approached the hour mark, Arsenal brought on fresh legs and we really had no options that early in the half to do the same.
We needed everyone to run themselves into the ground and they did, but it did mean we were pushed back, but we battled like Trojans and Fraser Forster had little to do in our goal, but what he did do he did well and it has to be said, 3 appearances and 3 clean sheets, two of them against Liverpool & Arsenal is testament to how hard he has worked to get his confidence back.
The last 30 minutes were not pretty to watch, Danny Ings was pushed back into the midfield, not tactically but by necessity, how we would have loved to have brought on Oriol Romeu, Nathan Redmond or Moussa Djenepo for fresh legs, but we had literally no one tried and trusted.
With 12 minutes to go off went Adams and on came N 'Lundulu to chase and harass and then with 5 mins to go on came Long for Ings.
The truth is we weathered the storm and in the last 5 minutes Shane Long was the perfect fit. he won the ball drew free kicks and took the sting out of the game, so much so that the Gunners failed to get up a head of steam in the final minutes to try and snatch extra time.
James Ward Prowse was the man of the match on TV and you won't find many arguments, but if he was a 9/10 all of his team mates were not far behind him, we showed what we can do as a side in the first hour and in the final 30 minutes we showed our never say die spirit.
Strangely (Not) the TV commentary was all about Arsenal in the last half an hour, how they were getting on top, not one BT pundit whether commentating or in the studio, mentioned how thin our team were and gave us credit for how our starting XI had to run themselves silly to get into the last 15 minutes where we could risk a sub or two.
A very satisfying win, hopefully we might have a player or two back for the Premier League game in a few days time when we do it all again.