'Brilliant stop' - 1994 AFCON winner refuses to criticize Saka after world-class save by Southampton GK

It has been a dismal couple of weeks for Arsenal and their supporters, with the Gunners suffering another damaging defeat on Saturday afternoon, losing 1-0 to Southampton at the St Mary's Stadium.

Prior to their defeat to the Saints, who were hammered 6-0 by Chelsea last weekend, Mikel Arteta's team had lost three of their previous four matches in the Premier League.

Arsenal dominated the first half and had great opportunities to break the deadlock, the best chance falling to Bukayo Saka but Fraser Forster pulled off a stunning save to keep the winger's shot out in the seventeenth minute.

The persistence paid off for the Saints as just before halftime Elyounoussi drove to the byline and managed to carve out a cross which was put away by Bednarek.

1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning striker Efan Ekoku, who was handling commentary duties for the Premier League world feed, hailed Forster for the brilliant save and revealed why he was not criticizing Saka for not scoring.

Ekoku said : "Fraser Forster is pulling off saves like this. What an incredible stop. I know it's coming towards him a little bit low, he slid towards the ball, look at the spin.

"Saka will be disappointed not to keep it down but it's on his weaker foot so I won't be critical of the Arsenal attacker on this occasion, but that's a world class save. Brilliant stop."

In seven career appearances against Arsenal during his playing days, former Wimbledon and Norwich City star Ekoku scored two goals against the north London outfit.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel