Arsenal eventually beat struggling Southampton 3-1 at Emirates Stadium after falling behind 0-1 early in the second half.
The starting lineup for the Gunners saw Mikel Arteta make a number of changes to the side that beat PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday night. With Gabriel Jesus starting a Premier league game for the first time this season, replacing Leandro Trossard. Thomas Partey was forced to move to right-back with both Jurrien Timber and Ben White out injured, with Jorginho in taking the Ghanaian’s place in midfield. Raheem Sterling also made his full Premier League debut for Arsenal, allowing Gabriel Martinelli to take some rest by starting on the bench. There was also a place for Takehiro Tomiyasu on the substitutes, the Japanese international in a matchday squad for the first time this season.
Perhaps expectedly, Arsenal started strongly how we couldn’t find a chance to properly test former Gunner Aaron Ramsdale in the Southampton goal. They came close however half an hour into the action, with Jorginho firing just wide on the volley from the edge of the penalty area. Ramsdale was soon called into action properly for the first time when a first-timed effort from Partey forced the England goalkeeper into a low stop before Sterling was prevented from scoring the rebound. Arsenal had dominated the first half, but went on level 0-0 with Southampton successfully frustrating their hosts.
Despite many most likely expecting Arsenal to come flying out the blocks at the start of the second half in search of an opener, it would be Southampton who would start the strongest following the break. Teenager Tyler Dibling sped past Riccardo Calafiori before crossing for Carlos Alcaraz, however the Argentinian found the top of the net as opposed to the back with arguably the best chance of the game. And just minutes later, a long ball would find substitute striker Cameron Archer who cut inside into his right foot in the Arsenal box and fired a low shot past David Raya and into the net to stun Emirates Stadium and give the Saints a shock lead.
Arsenal hadn’t got going since the interval, however going a goal down seemed to have given them the wake-up call they perhaps needed, as just three minutes after falling behind Kai Havertz picked up a pass from Bukayo Saka and smashed an excellent shot off the inside of the post to draw Arsenal level and give them a much needed equaliser. A triple substitution followed with Trossard, Martinelli and Mikel Merino coming on to try and help Arsenal reach the lead with half an hour of normal time to play.
And just ten minuets after Havertz’s equaliser, a superb cross from Saka found Martinelli at the back post who beat Ramsdale with a good finish to turn the game around. A tense VAR check followed but the goal was given to a big roar from a relived Emirates Stadium. Southampton however still looked threatening on the attack, but all worries of another late twist were gone when Saka pounced on a loose ball in the Saints box to smash a low effort past Ramsdale to all but confirm the win. The young winger had been excellent all afternoon and deserved the goal to add to his two assists, making him the highest goal contributor in the league so far this campaign.
Another three points for Arsenal extended their unbeaten start going into the second international break, with an away tie at Bournemouth being the first encounter back.
Player Ratings:
David Raya: 6 – Nothing to do apart from pick the ball out of the net for the Saints goal
Thomas Partey: 7 – A few shaky moments but overall did well out of position
William Saliba: 6 – Maybe could have got tighter to Archer for the goal
Gabriel: 6 – Wasn’t massively troubled
Riccardo Calafiori: 7 – Dibling may have got the better of him once or twice but the Italian was again impressive both defensively and in possession
Jorginho: 6 – Did ok wearing the captian’s armband
Declan Rice: 7 – Solid especially after moving to a more holding position
Kai Havertz: 8 – Ok first half but blew into life in the second including scoring an excellent equaliser
Bukayo Saka: 9 – The star of the show with two assists and a goal
Gabriel Jesus: 4 – A poor afternoon with poor decision making at times and Arsenal looked a lot better after he came off
Raheem Sterling: 6 – An ok full debut, troubled his fullback on a number of occasions