– Bereft of confidence –
Despite the switches, Arsenal still looked bereft of confidence.
Disorganised at the back and short of leadership in midfield, Arteta’s team were carved open with ease when Walcott put Southampton ahead in the 18th minute.
Somehow, it was inevitable that Walcott, who scored 108 goals for Arsenal between 2006 and 2018, would be the man to add to their woes.
Arsenal carelessly surrendered possession and Che Adams made them pay with a fine pass behind Kieran Tierney to pick out Walcott, who sprinted clear and clipped a cool finish over Bernd Leno.
Walcott’s gleeful celebration made it clear he had no problem with rubbing salt into his old club’s wounds.