[monks data]

Premier League

Dec 26, 2015 at 7.45pm UK

Southampton
4-0
Arsenal

Martina (19'), Long (55', 92'), Fonte (69')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Shane Long: 'Arsenal struggled with pace in behind'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 26 December 2015

Southampton striker Shane Long believes that Arsenal found it difficult to cope with his pace during the Saints' 4-0 victory over the Gunners at St Mary's.

Southampton striker Shane Long has said that the pace provided by himself and Sadio Mane was one of the reasons behind his side's thumping victory over Arsenal this evening.

The Saints returned to winning ways in spectacular fashion by trouncing the title favourites 4-0 at St Mary's, with Long grabbing a brace having replaced the injured Graziano Pelle in the starting lineup.

Long admitted that his side had been going through a tough patch, but insists that the team's self-belief did not waver during a six-match winless streak that saw them drop into the bottom half.

"We knew we were a good enough team, but it was not happening in the last few weeks," Long told BT Sport.

"We went out there with the idea of fighting hard for each other firstly and hoping the play comes from there. They did not like the pace in behind from me and Sadio and we played on that.

"It was a good day all round, but we have got a hard game coming up in two days' time against West Ham."

The defeat saw Arsenal miss the chance to move top of the table, while Southampton picked up their first win since November 7.