Skip to main content
Gunners hit back to see off Saints and keep pace at the top
A general view of the action as the sun shines through a gap in the stadium during the Premier League match at Ashburton Grove, London, October 5, 2024

Arsenal 3–1 Southampton
by Layth Yousif
at Ashburton Grove

ARSENAL came from behind to post another victory ahead of the international break. 

Goals from Kai Havertz, substitute Gabriel Martinelli and a late third by Bukayo Saka cancelled out Cameron Archer’s opener 10 minutes after the interval, as the Gunners remained level with Manchester City on 17 points, with table-toppers Liverpool a point ahead.

The Gunners welcomed back former keeper Aaron Ramsdale, who was part of an obdurate Saints backline.

Despite plenty of possession, Arsenal struggled to break down Russell Martin’s battling Southampton side, with Declan Rice shooting narrowly wide on 39 minutes, prior to Thomas Partey forcing a save from Ramsdale shortly before the half-time whistle, as the home side racked up a total of 29 shots during the match. 

While the Saints were boosted by Ramsdale’s inside knowledge of Arsenal’s deadly set pieces, and went into the break level, there was still plenty to do for the south coast strugglers who had lost five of their opening six games after winning promotion from the Championship last term.

Despite Arsenal starting with intent, when Gabriel Jesus fired narrowly wide, after good work by Riccardo Calafiori and Raheem Sterling, Southampton went 1-0 up ten minutes after the interval through Archer, who converted Mateus Fernandes’s assist. 

Sandwiched in between was Tyler Dibling clipping the upright and Raya’s punch from a corner bouncing back onto the bar.

However, Arsenal were stung from conceding to Archer, and responded all of four minutes later, when Havertz took the ball from Saka’s pass to fire past Ramsdale to make it 1-1, as the crowd erupted. Not least in recognition of the fact that the 29-year-old former Chelsea attacker had now scored in seven successive home matches for the Gunners. 

Arteta made three substitutions on the hour mark, including bringing on Martinelli for the steady Sterling.

The young Brazil attacker made his mark moments later, squeezing the ball past Ramsdale to make it 2-1 on 68 minutes, following a lengthy VAR check.

There was still time for a rampant Arsenal side to make it 3-1, when Saka swept home after a driving run by substitute Leandro Trossard on 88 minutes.

Speaking afterwards Arteta said: “The team is so willing. I’m very pleased with the way we’ve come through this period and we’re in a good place.”

Morning Star Conference - Race, Sex & Class
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Manchester United's Victor Lindelof (centre) in action during the Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday May 4, 2025
Men's Football / 5 May 2025
5 May 2025
An Arsenal branded corner flag
Men’s football / 2 May 2025
2 May 2025

In the shadow of Heathrow and glow of Thorpe Park, a band of Arsenal loyalists have built something lasting — a grassroots club with old-school values, writes LAYTH YOUSIF

Arsenal's Leandro Trossard (left) and Paris Saint Germain's Achraf Hakimi battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League semi final, first leg match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Tuesday April 29, 2025
Men’s football / 30 April 2025
30 April 2025
Arsenal goal
Men's Football / 25 April 2025
25 April 2025

A point apiece at the Emirates with both Arsenal and Palace looking distracted by forthcoming semi-finals 

Similar stories
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the Premier League match
Men's football / 19 January 2025
19 January 2025
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka scores their side's second goal of the
Men’s Football / 12 December 2024
12 December 2024
Arsenal's Gabriel scores their side's second goal of the gam
Men's Football / 23 September 2024
23 September 2024
Arsenal's William Saliba celebrates scoring
Men’s football / 14 August 2024
14 August 2024