LONDON, 31 January 2003 — Arsenal moved back to within a point of Premier League leaders Manchester United Monday after a first-half Robert Pires goal earned them victory over Southampton.
Arsenal dominated the match and it was no surprise when, in the 36th minute, Pires broke free on the left to receive a perfect pass from France teammate Thierry Henry and slot home left-footed under the diving body of goalkeeper Antti Niemi.
Southampton looked more like the away team as they tried to contain the north London side, who enjoyed more than 60 percent of the possession. Dennis Bergkamp missed a sitter and Henry and Freddie Ljungberg forced spectacular saves from Niemi.
It was only some desperate defending that kept the scoreline in check.
“It was a deserved victory and a well done job,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said, adding his side might have scored more had Niemi not been in such good form. “In the second half we dropped physically and they got a bit more aggressive,” he said.
Southampton won the fixture 3-2 last season with a sizzling performance from James Beattie but on Monday the striker was squeezed out of the game.
Arsenal, unbeaten in the league this season, are now on 45 points from 19 games, three ahead of third-placed Chelsea and 15 in front of the rest of the Premier League pack.
Southampton remain in eighth on 26 points. Manager Gordon Strachan said it was the first time he had watched his side playing as though they were frightened of the opposition. “They must remember that smell of fear,” Strachan said of his players’ first half performance. “We must remember how we embarrassed ourselves.”
Atletico Striker Moreno Mulling Over Bolton Loan Offer
In Madrid, out-of-favor Atletico Madrid striker Javi Moreno says he is considering an offer to join English Premier League side Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.
“I’m flattered that a team is interested in me because it shows that I am not finished,” the former AC Milan player told reporters after training yesterday.
“At the moment I am not sure if I want to leave, though, and I’ll have to think it over carefully because it is an important and difficult step to make.
“The two clubs have been in negotiations and Atletico told me about it yesterday evening, but I haven’t spoken directly to Bolton.”
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce said some serious negotiating was needed before a deal could be concluded.
“We know all about Javi and we are showing an interest in him but it will all come down to reaching an agreement with him and his club,” he told Bolton’s website.
Moreno joined Atletico from AC Milan for $13 million in 2002 after they won a return to the top flight following two seasons in the second division.
But the 29-year-old has failed to earn himself a regular place in the starting line-up and has spent most of the last two seasons on the bench.
Moreno, who has won five caps for Spain, had a similar experience when he moved to Milan in 2001 following an outstanding campaign with Spanish side Alaves.
