Arsenal had to come from behind to secure a nervy 3-1 win over Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League.
The Gunners couldn’t make a first-half breakthrough and fell behind shortly after the restart following Cameron Archer’s well-struck effort. But the home side responded swiftly and goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka secured a vital win.
The result keeps Arsenal within a single point of table-toppers Liverpool heading into the international break, but Southampton still sit in the relegation zone as they await their first league win of the season.
How the game unfolded
Arsenal took no time in pinning Southampton in their own penalty area with wave after wave of attacks within the opening stages. Set pieces were particularly effective against a frazzled Saints defence, with Havertz heading over from close range in the 12th minute.
Despite their territorial dominance and relentless pressure, Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances against an increasingly stubborn Southampton defence. Former Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was untested in the opening half-hour, with Kyle Walker-Peters producing the only shot on target with a tame effort for the visitors.
Havertz and Saka saw half-chances come and go but it was defensive midfielder Jorginho who came closest to firing Arsenal ahead. The Italian picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area before flashing inches wide with a well-struck effort.
The Gunners continued to pressurise Southampton as a frustrating first half drew to a close, with Raheem Sterling’s curling effort blocked by Jan Bednarek and Thomas Partey’s long-range strike parried by Ramsdale. There was still no way through for the hosts.
Southampton almost caught Mikel Arteta’s side cold within several minutes of the restart following a sensational surge up the field from young Tyler Dibling. The 18-year-old’s shot deflected into the path of Mateus Fernandes, who prodded inches over the crossbar from ten yards out.
But Fernandes made amends for his miss just six minutes later. The midfielder retrieved the ball from Sterling and floated a pass over the Arsenal defence to Archer, with the substitute cutting inside the penalty area and caressing into the bottom corner. The hosts were left angered after referee Tony Harrington didn’t pull play back for the initial challenge on Sterling.
However, Arsenal fired back straight away and it was the in-form Havertz who produced a fine equaliser. Saka released the German after Flynn Downes was dispossessed in midfield and he took an excellent first touch before rattling his strike beyond the outstretched glove of Ramsdale.
A triple change after the equaliser helped spur Arsenal on and they took the lead for the first time just 11 minutes later. Some excellent footwork from Saka was followed by a teasing cross to the far post, with substitute Martinelli poking home from just a few yards out. After a lengthy VAR check, the goal was confirmed.
Despite getting their noses in front, Arsenal decided to slow the tempo down in an attempt to control proceedings. But it did just the opposite, with Dibling striking the post from range after being given too much time to shoot, and the Saints striking the crossbar from the subsequent corner. Two huge let-offs for the Gunners.
Any hope of a late equaliser for the visitors vanished in the 88th minute and it was the influential Saka who produced the clinching third for Arsenal. Yukinari Sugawara’s error was pounced upon by the winger, who slotted a wonderful finish beyond Ramsdale to secure all three points for the Gunners.
GK: David Raya – 5/10 – Helpless for Archer’s well-taken strike but his miscued punch from a corner almost gifted Southampton a goal.
RB: Thomas Partey – 6/10 – Rarely tested as a right-back but used the ball effectively in the final third and even tested Ramsdale with a powerful effort. Archer’s goal came down his side as he was caught high up the field.
CB: William Saliba – 7/10 – Sauntered through the game with little fuss and was unfortunate not to come away with a clean sheet given his dominance in physical duels.
CB: Gabriel – 7/10 – Created issues for Southampton’s backline when attacking set pieces despite being unable to add to his goal tally for the season.
LB: Riccardo Calafiori – 7/10 – Another aggressive display from the Italian who darted forward at any and every opportunity. More comfortable in the first half than the second.
DM: Jorginho – 6/10 – Screened the Arsenal back four effectively and retained possession when required. Rarely put to the test defensively.
DM: Declan Rice – 6/10 – The midfielder’s set-piece deliveries were fairly hit-and-miss but it was a solid display from Rice in the engine room against little resistance.
RW: Bukayo Saka – 9/10 – Typically active down the right-hand side with some energetic and agile sprints. Came to life after the break and provided two assists and a late goal to turn the game on its head.
AM: Kai Havertz – 8/10 – Continued his impressive goalscoring run on home soil with an extremely well-taken finish. The former Chelsea man has silenced any doubters who claimed he couldn’t thrive as an orthodox number nine.
LW: Raheem Sterling – 5/10 – Felt he was fouled in the build-up to Southampton’s opener but ultimately surrendered the ball too easily. Struggled to make any inroads in the final third.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – 6/10 – Saw plenty of the ball before being withdrawn on the hour but failed to make an enormous impact in the final third as his wait for a goal continues.
Substitutes
SUB: Gabriel Martinelli (60′ for Sterling) – 8/10 – Made a huge difference from the bench with his speed and timed his run to perfection as he handed Arsenal the lead.
SUB: Leandro Trossard (60′ for Jesus) – 6/10
SUB: Mikel Merino (60′ for Jorginho) – 6/10
SUB: Takehiro Tomiyasu (84′ for Partey) – N/A
SUB: Jakub Kiwior (90′ for Calafiori) – N/A
Subs not used: Neto (GK), Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.
Manager
Mikel Arteta – 6/10 – A little fortunate at times following a nervy second-half performance from his team but his triple substitution on the hour mark helped turn the tide in the Gunners’ favour.
GK: Aaron Ramsdale – 7/10 – Facing his former employers with a point to prove, Ramsdale was frequently called upon as Arsenal fired shots and crosses into the box. Did nothing to harm his reputation on his return to north London.
RB: Yukinari Sugawara – 3/10 – Looked relatively comfortable in the first half against Sterling but was nowhere to be seen as Martinelli tucked home down his side and gifted possession to Saka for Arsenal’s third.
CB: Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 6/10 – Looked solid defensively under immense pressure and made some significant blocks and clearances.
CB: Jan Bednarek – 6/10 – Cautioned for the most obvious shirt pull ever witnessed but produced a few important interventions in the first half to deny the hosts.
LB: Kyle Walker-Peters – 5/10 – Booked for a late challenge on Saka early doors and struggled to handle the Arsenal winger after the break.
DM: Joe Aribo – 6/10 – Didn’t always look comfortable in a holding midfield role but produced a passable performance against talented opposition.
DM: Flynn Downes – 5/10 – Shielded the defence admirably for large periods but handed Arsenal possession for Havertz’s equaliser with a sloppy pass.
RW: Tyler Dibling – 8/10 – An exceptional showing from the teenager who terrorised Arsenal after half-time. Made some powerful runs beyond the home defence and struck the post with a deflected shot. This young man’s got a bright future.
AM: Mateus Fernandes – 7/10 – Impressive energy when pressing Arsenal and on the rare occasions he got on the ball. Set up Archer with a delicate ball in behind and was one of Southampton’s strongest performers.
LW: Ryan Manning – 6/10 – Dropped into a back five out of possession – which was most of the match – and did his best to snuff out Arsenal attacks.
ST: Ross Stewart – 6/10 – Started brightly with some impressive hold-up play but was withdrawn through injury in the first half. A devastating blow for the striker given his recent fitness woes.
Substitutes
SUB: Cameron Archer (27′ for Stewart) – 7/10 – Barely touched the ball but got on the scoresheet with an excellent finish. Exactly what you want from your centre-forward.
SUB: Adam Armstrong (74′ for Fernandes) – 6/10
SUB: Paul Onuachu (74′ for Manning) – 6/10
SUB: Charlie Taylor (90′ for Sugawara) – N/A
Subs not used: Alex McCarthy (GK), James Bree, Adam Lallana, Lesley Ugochukwu, Ben Brereton Diaz.
Manager
Russel Martin – 7/10 – After lambasting his players after the Bournemouth defeat, he will be proud of his side’s performance at the Emirates. Unfortunately, they still come away with nothing to show for it.
Player of the match: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
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