Southampton manager Russell Martin is heading into yet another international break with much to contemplate after his side managed to secure just one point from their first seven Premier League matches this season. The latest disappointment came in a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates, leaving Southampton languishing in 19th place on the table, just ahead of Wolves.
Despite Cameron Archer giving Southampton a brief lead in the 55th minute, the joy was short-lived as Arsenal quickly equalized and then added two more goals through Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka. A key moment in the match came when Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes lost possession while trying to play out from the back, leading to Arsenal’s equalizer.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman took issue with Downes’ costly error, criticizing the midfielder for attempting a risky no-look pass. Speaking on the *Seaman Says* podcast, Seaman expressed his frustration: “That pass, that no-look pass is so frustrating. When I see people doing that, I am like why?”
This misstep by Downes is just one example of the growing criticism aimed at Martin’s tactical approach. Known for encouraging his teams to build from the back and take risks in dangerous areas, Martin’s system has been Southampton’s undoing, with many of the 15 goals they’ve conceded this season coming from similar mistakes.
While Martin remains committed to his philosophy, Seaman’s remarks highlight a broader concern that Southampton may need to adopt a more pragmatic approach if they hope to survive in the Premier League. The Saints have been plagued by costly errors, and unless Martin’s players can reduce these mistakes, the team’s position near the foot of the table will only worsen.
As the international break provides a brief respite, Martin will need to find solutions fast to stop the rot and reignite Southampton’s season.
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