It's testament to the team spirit at the club that they did not falter from following Gordon Strachan's tactics. Strachan has made them fitter players and in most cases, better players than they were before his arrival. The team and staff are aware of potential problems and fix them far quicker than I can remember. They also have the capacity to work through the full ninety minutes.
Losing late goals has been a problem this season, but it has been worked upon and Saints were fully committed to holding onto their one goal lead yesterday.
Saints got the first chance of the afternoon with Wayne Bridge hitting well over. Arsenal responded with an effort form Henry. To be fair, Arsenal looked the more capable side technically, but Saints were up to the task of battling hard and closing them down in midfield. Rory Delap, so often second choice behind Anders Svensson was in for every challenge yesterday and put in a truly determined and gritty performance at the heart of the Saints team. His partner in the middle, Matt Oakley, also had a great game. Oakley's form has improved considerably since he was dropped earlier in the year.
Arsenal opened the scoring on 35 minutes with a good passing move involving Bergkamp, Vierra and Wiltord. Wiltord's cross from the right was met by an excellent half volley from Bergkamp and his shot went rattling into the Saints goal. There was nothing that the Saints 'keeper could have done to stop it.
He did manage to prevent Henry from making it two, after the Frenchman was past the Saints defence with only the 'keeper to beat.
Saints were rewarded for their endeavour just before the break. A foul on Delgado gave James Beattie a chance form 30 yards out. Arsenal had three in the wall, but there was space between it an the defender closing the kick down. Beattie exploited that opening and hit a powerful drive into the corner past a stranded Seaman.
Seaman also had to save from a powerful Matt Oakley effort. Oakley has a very good shot but is rarely in a position to exploit it.
Getting the equaliser, must have put a different face on the Saints dressing room at the break. They knew that despite Arsenal's skill, they could be broken down and chances could be created.
As it was, only superb goalkeeping from Finnish international, Antii Niemi prevented the Gunners from taking the lead at the start of the second half. Patrick Viera had three close range opportunities saved by Niemi. Having saved the first shot, Niemi prevented Viera's follow up header from going in and remarkably saved a third effort with his legs This inspired piece of play could well have been the turning point of the game.
Agustin Delgado capitalised on a mistake from Cygnan on 57 minutes. Although he was sprinting towards goal, Sol Campbell had got back and was easily going to catch the Ecuadorian. However, Campbell's challenge across Delgado, made no contact with the ball and also brought the striker down. Paul Durken had no option but to award the penalty.
Although Campbell had tried for the ball, he didn't get it and there was little doubt it was the correct decision. Unfortunately, because Campbell was the last man, the referee had no alternative but to send him off as well.
James Beattie performed his usual penalty routine and hit a great shot into the corner. Beattie claims that he has been instructed by Le Tissier, in which case we should be in little danger of missing any.
Saints went 3-1 up after Delgado got either his hand, arm or chest to a cross at the back post. He managed to just get ahead of his marker, Toure.
Even a two goal cushion looks a little shaky when up against an attacking Arsenal side, but Saints acquitted themselves well. In fact, Rory Delap really should have made it 4-1 but put his header wide instead of into an empty net.
Arsenal did pull a goal back through Robert Pires, who looked very dangerous wen he came on. Pires' first shot was blocked by Niemi, but there was nothing he could do to prevent the follow-up.
After such resolute defending and pressing, Chris Marsden almost gifted Henry with an equaliser late on after a very tired back pass. Fortunately, Niemi did enough to put the French international off and Saints collected all three points.
This was an excellent performance from the Saints and and excellent, exciting game in general with plenty of chances and good from each side.