Bukayo Saka (left) celebrates scoring Arsenal’s second goal of the game
ARSENAL eased past Southampton with goals from Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette after an early Stuart Armstrong strike put the home side ahead, as the Gunners moved into eighth place, five points off West Ham in fourth spot.
On a rain-lashed evening on the south coast, Mikel Arteta’s side won their first match from a losing position since they beat Liverpool last July — and their first comeback in any competition against a Premier League side since reversing a deficit against Chelsea in the 2020 FA Cup final.
The victory at St Mary’s on Tuesday evening was also revenge for the north Londoners, after Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side knocked the holders out of the world’s oldest knock-out tournament at the weekend.
Mikel Arteta has been receiving criticism in some quarters for his supposed negativity – but Arsenal reporter LAYTH YOUSIF insists the Gunners boss is on the right lines
Substitutes Gabi Martinelli and Leo Trossard seal Champions League victory in Bilbao
