STEVE WIGLEY'S planning for the match with Arsenal had one key theme - concentration.

The Saints boss held his usual pre-match team get-together in a hotel and had gone in beforehand to the meeting room to write one word as big as he could for all his players to see.

"It was the word concentration," he explained.

"I couldn't have actually written it any bigger!

"The one thing you have to do against great teams is concentrate because they think so quickly - especially from set-plays.

"I felt we did for the majority of the game but, unfortunately, not quite all of it."

Preparation is a large part of the strengths of the current Saints coaching set-up with both Wigley and first team coach Christian Damiano known for their meticulous planning.

It manifested itself not just in the team's concentration but also in scoring two headed goals from set-pieces, which was something they had rehearsed and rehearsed in the build-up to the match.

"The set-pieces are something we' worked on last week because you've got to take your opportunities when you come to Highbury," said Wigley.

"I can't remember the last time we came here and scored twice.

"The balls were right on the money and obviously great headers as well."

It was only the fifth time in 26 home league games that Arsenal had conceded two or more goals and in the previous four only Bolton (2-2) had escaped with a point.

Wigley also felt his players and his fellow management team had something of a siege mentality about them going into the game.

There have been plenty of questions being asked by the St Mary's faithful, not just about events on the field but also off it as well over the last few months.

Wigley knows that the only way his critics are going to go away is if his side starts winning games and moving up the table - something he is confident will happen soon.

He added: "We've had to close ranks as a group of people because we've been a bit of a punchbag recently.

"But we're confident in our abilities and I'm confident in mine. We know it's a results business and we can get results. We will turn things around and climb up the league."