Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg discussed his pride following the team’s 3-2 win against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints clinched only their second victory of the Premier League season against the Gunners as Ralph Hasenhuttl oversaw his first home game as the club’s new manager.
Hojbjerg was handed the captain’s armband once again for the fixture and performed well, dictating play from central midfield.
Danny Ings put Southampton ahead before Henrikh Mkhitaryan levelled proceedings in the first half. The Saints forward did, however, net just for the second time before the interval.
Arsenal came out of the blocks in an attacking manner and pulled it back to 2-2 courtesy of a deflected effort from Mkhitaryan.
However, it was Southampton who took all the spoils at St Mary’s Stadium as Shane Long’s looping cross was nodded home by fellow substitute Charlie Austin to clinch a crucial win for the hosts.
Hojbjerg, as quoted by the club’s official website, hailed his team and thanked the supporters for their part in the victory. He said:
I’m proud and honoured to be a part of this game because a win at home against Arsenal in a moment like this with the difficulties of the relegation zone and to produce a result like this, it is a big boost to get out.
We really felt the fans’ support today. I have to be honest, through the whole season I need to say that they have always been there and we, the players, we feel that and we want to fight for that.
Most importantly we want to fight for the club because we want to take the club to the next level. Congratulations to everybody, the fans, the coach and the players because the performance today was special.
Next up for Southampton is a trip to fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon.
