Shane Long was an unlikely starter this afternoon as Mark Hughes' Southampton traveled to a desolate Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal.
Not enjoying his most prolific goal-scoring season, the Irish forward hasn't scored since the Saints lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace in early January; his first goal of the 2017/18 season.
Well, he has just doubled his tally with a wonderfully intuitive finish to give Southampton a 1-0 lead against Arsenal.
Isolated in the opposition box, the 31-year-old ghosted ahead of a dozing Shkodran Mustafi to guide Cedric's cross beyond the unawares Petr Cech.
Giving Hughes' relegation-threatened side the lead their play has deserved after the opening twenty minutes in the Emirates, if Long could push on and finish the season strongly, Hughes' salvage-mission could be made all the easier.
Needless to say, there has been plenty of positive (and slightly bemused) reaction to Long's goal, and a lot of stick for Mustafi.
Shane long 👏🏼
— Rachel Lynch (@Rachel_Lynchx) April 8, 2018
Always thought a lot of Shane Long. Can’t believe that’s only his second goal in 47 games. Would be nice to see him finish his career back at a club like Reading where he could still make a huge difference!
— simonjevans99 (@simonjevans99) April 8, 2018
Shane Long always keeping his goal for the Emirates.
— Ronald (@a_mujuni) April 8, 2018
SHANE LONG AND SOUTHAMPTON DID A GOAL THING 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Fuck me sideways #saintsfc— Tim Whittle (@T__Whittle) April 8, 2018
Andy Townsend was just talking about how shitty Shane long's goal scoring ability is. Well man answered in grandstyle.
— Ayomide (@_Chullo) April 8, 2018
Proud of @Arsenal we always give clubs/players that platform to dig themselves out of any ruts that they’re in. Shane Long no goals in 2,683 games. Amazing work @Arsenal you’re doing great sweetie x
— Darren (@dazz89) April 8, 2018
the defending for that shane long goal was some of the worst ive seen in ages
— luke (@mafiacashier) April 8, 2018
haha really!? shane long?!
— richard poore (@rich_poore) April 8, 2018
Arsenal spent £35million on Shkodran Mustafi.
— Jack Pitt-Brooke (@JackPittBrooke) April 8, 2018
Even allowing for added hyperbole, that might be the worst piece of defending I've seen this season. The statue of Thierry Henry would have reacted quicker than Shkodran Mustafi.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) April 8, 2018
0-1!
Brilliant defending from £35m Mustafi!#AFCvSFC— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 8, 2018
Not a good goal to concede and not all Mustafi’s fault!!!
— David Seaman MBE 🇺🇦 SafeHands (@thedavidseaman) April 8, 2018
I was alive when Mustafi best in the league shouts were around.
— Jordan (@FourFourJordan) April 8, 2018
The lead would not last too long however; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbing Arsenal's equaliser. Moments later, Danny Welbeck would make it 2-1.
You can get some idea of Long's great finish below.
