Russell Martin has had a long time to reflect on Southampton’s 3-1 Premier League defeat against Arsenal last time out.
The two week international break has seen to that, and Russell Martin will be spending every waking hour formulating a plan to help Southampton beat Leicester City at St Mary’s on Saturday.
That game against fellow newly-promoted opposition could well decide whether Martin is given more time to turn Southampton’s poor start to the season around or whether Sport Republic decide a change is needed.
The 3-1 loss at Arsenal last match was by no means an embarrassment and Southampton actually showed real heart as they battled to a 1-0 lead before the Gunners’ pressure ultimately proved too much.
Martin can take positives from that game and will need to see a similar level of fight against Leicester if the Saints are to get a result.
Francis Benali believes Paul Onuachu an ‘option’ for Southampton
Martin changed to a back five against Arsenal, with Kyle Walker-Peters playing as an unorthodox centre-back.
However, the most notable element of the starting lineup was the fact striker Ross Stewart was making his first ever Southampton start despite signing for £10 million in summer 2023.
Unfortunately for Stewart, his injury nightmare continued as he was forced off after just 27 minutes and replaced by Cameron Archer.
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The other moment of intrigue came when Paul Onuachu came off the bench after spending last season on loan in Turkey and a summer of Saints trying to sell the striker.
Southampton legend Francis ‘Franny’ Benali has spoken on the unexpected recall for Onauchu in his Daily Echo column, saying: “Saints were ultimately undone by Arsenal’s superior quality but I was pleased for Archer to get a goal and was quite surprised by what I saw from Paul Onuachu.
“He made a mark on the team and looks like he could be an option, even though he looked close to an exit this summer.
“I still think we need to see more from him before we can start asking for him to be a starter but his performance against Arsenal was a step in the right direction.”
Onuachu gives Russell Martin unique threat at Southampton
Martin has been keen to say that the door is always open at Southampton and the return of Onuachu has proven that.
The 30-year-old was signed for £18 million in January 2023 as the Saints desperately tried to avoid relegation but was barely given a chance before spending last season on loan at Trabzonspor.
The Nigerian scored 17 goals in Turkey and looked confident when he came on against Arsenal.
His 6ft 8ins frame makes him a really different option to Martin’s other strikers and, given the prognosis of Stewart’s injury is currently unknown, Southampton may well benefit from utilising a rejuvenated Onuachu moving forward.