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Ronald Koeman puzzled by Arsene Wenger's complaints of referee Jon Moss

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman
Image: Southampton manager Ronald Koeman saw his side run out 4-0 winners against Arsenal

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman does not understand Arsene Wenger's criticism of referee Jon Moss following Saints' 4-0 win at St Mary's.

Steven Davis appeared to have strayed offside in the build-up to Cuco Martina's superb opener and Laurent Koscielny was tripped under pressure from Shane Long before he added Saints' second.

The Arsenal boss also felt Jose Fonte's header was borne out of an earlier poor decision, leaving just Long's stoppage-time strike without complaint.

Martina celebrates with team-mates after the opening goal
Image: Cuco Martina celebrates with team-mates after the opening goal

"Only the first three? He didn't say anything about the fourth goal? That's strange," Koeman said.

"I like to analyse the game and if you lose 4-0 and you talk about the referee it's not my way to analyse a football game."

It was a cutting riposte from a manager able to celebrate after a difficult period, with last week's 2-0 home loss to Tottenham a fifth defeat in a difficult winless period.

Cuco Martina scores Southampton's opener with a superb right-footed effort
Image: Martina scores Southampton's opener with a superb right-footed effort

Koeman was furious after that loss but his emotion was one of pride after overcoming Spurs' north London rivals at St Mary's.

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"I think another example that sometimes it's very difficult to explain why something happens," the Saints boss said.

"Of course, we don't expect this result. We had confidence, we had belief to win the game, but so clearly in the end to win 4-0, and even to have good opportunities to score more goals.

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Reaction from Arsene Wenger and Ronald Koeman after Southampton beat Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium

"It was all about confidence in the team and, in my opinion, the second half the team performance was perfect in the way we defended, in how aggressive we were on the battles in midfield.

"I think the game plan was perfect because Shane Long and Sadio [Mane] create a lot of problems to the defenders of Arsenal.

"Well done to the boys. After a period without winning games you like to have a performance like tonight and it was perfect."

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