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.”