Arsenal secured another dramatic victory against newly promoted opposition as they beat Southampton 3-1. The game got off to a strong start for the Gunners who subjected Saints to lengthy and relentless pressure. They struggled to turn this into shooting opportunities though, and it was not until first-half stoppage time that they managed their first effort on target through Thomas Partey.
Things didn’t improve much after the break and it was Southampton who were able to get their noses in front through Cameron Archer on the counter attack. This seemed to wake Arsenal up and minutes later they were level when Kai Havertz seized on Bukayo Saka’s through ball to grab the equaliser.
The Gunners then completed the turnaround as Gabriel Martinelli stayed just onside to tap home Saka’s superb cross. The game was by no means over then and Saints hit the bar through Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
With minutes remaining of the game though Saka popped up to steer home the rebound from a Leandro Trossard effort and make the game safe. Here football.london takes a look back on the talking points from the game.
Ramsdale return
One of the talking points from this game had been pre-determined before a ball had even been kicked. After such a memorable three years at Arsenal, Aaron Ramsdale’s return was always going to be a story.
For a while, it looked as though it might be the main one. Mikel Arteta had hinted that Arsenal may mix up their corner routines to deal with Ramsdale’s insider knowledge of Nicolas Jover’s plans, but the Gunners stood firm. Each delivery was the classic floater to the back post that has worked so well for them in recent weeks.
Ramsdale though, was equal to it. Seemingly with a point to prove the 26-year-old fought his was past the Arsenal blockers to come out and deal with nearly ever corner Arsenal put in.
With one of their favourite routes to goal nullified, the Gunners struggled. By half time they had mustered just one shot on target.
This seemed to give Southampton confidence and they eventually grew into the game and began creating chances. Cameron Archer’s goal, while unexpected, could hardly be deemed undeserved when it came.
Arsenal though fought back and showed great character – more on that later. Eventually, they made it past Ramsdale who could do little about any of the three goals that he conceded.
With the game wrapped up in stoppage time the home fans even had time to serenade their former first choice with his old chant and bellows of “England’s number one.” Ramsdale appeared to appreciate the love and turned round to applaud before doing a small lap at half time and stopping to sign the shirts of a few young fans.
There could easily have been bad blood with the coaching staff given how his time at Arsenal came to an end, but it was all hugs at full time. Arteta and goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana both embraced with Ramsdale along with almost every member of the Gunners squad.
“Just wished him all the best and Southampton all the best for the way they played as well,” Arteta said of the exchange I hope they (get all the best) for the manager and Aaron as well because they’re a really good side.
Ramsdale may have hoped for a world class save to truly mark his return to the Emirates, but overall he’ll be happy with how it went. The England stopper will be remembered for the good times he had in north London and the connections he made along the way.
Superb Saka
For the first time in a while Bukayo Saka was not wearing the captain’s armband on Saturday. With Jorginho back in the squad, the Italian took the role instead. When Arsenal found themselves behind though, there was one clear leader on the pitch.
Saka had been impressive before Arsenal went a goal down, but seemed to find new levels when his team needed them most. His effort to win the ball back and play through Kai Havertz provided a crucial equaliser that crushed any hope Southampton may have built for clinging on to a famous victory.
Not long after Jorginho came off and Saka once again had the armband squeezing his right bicep. His trademark back post cross to Gabriel Martinelli minutes later was a flex of the consistent quality the 23-year-old has in spades.
“He’s been in the team long enough to earn the right to have that role,” Arteta said of his run as captain in his post-match press conference. “He believes in that. He has the capacity to change and decide games”
There could not have been a more deserving recipient of the fortune that went into his game-sealing strike as a tiring Yukinari Sugawara played the ball straight into his path. Even still, Saka’s finish on his right foot was clinical – an edge he was accused of lacking after a slower start to last season.
This season though, Saka has been invariably brilliant. He has a goal or an assist in every league game he’s played for Arsenal this season (we’re definitely counting his corner for Leandro Trossard’s late goal against Leicester last week, despite what the spoiled sports at the Premier League will say).
He became the first player on record to register seven shots and 7+ chances created last week against Leicester. This week he became the first player to do it in back-to-back matches. With these levels it’s easy to forget that he turned 23 just last month!
“There are the stats and you cannot get away from that and what he’s doing at his age is unbelievable,” Arteta said of young star. It’s scary to think what Saka may become if these are the levels he’s already reached in his nascent career. For now though, Arsenal will be delighted that they have a world class match-winning talent.
Havertz makes his case
There was something of a surprise to the Arsenal starting line up. Mikel Arteta has made up for Martin Odegaard’s absence by fielding his side in a 4-4-2 formation where Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard have struck up a superb partnership.
If you wanted to be more specific you could argue that Havertz has been more of the centre forward of the two, with Trossard operating in a more free role. Against Southampton though, things were changed.
Gabriel Jesus was brought in to be the proper number nine, with Havertz dropping to a slightly deeper position. As Saka rolled a ball right across the six-yard box that was dying to be finished by a clinical number nine in the first half, it was hard not to wonder if that was the right decision.
Havertz did eventually start operating further forward and this is when Arsenal looked a their best. His goal exhibited the single-mindedness and conviction that he lacked in his early Gunners career. The German seized on to Saka’s through ball, took one touch to shift it out to his left and then another to finish with power beyond Ramsdale. Such a transformation has not gone unnoticed.
“You can tell,” Arteta said when asked if Havertz looked more confident. “He takes the ball and he runs with the ball, he’s going full gas in the high press, he holds the ball.
“He’s an attacking midfielder, he’s a nine, you don’t know where he is. That’s his football brain. For sure his focus is ‘I’m gonna win the game, I’m gonna do it’. That’s a different thing.”
Havertz’s newly found main character energy has put him at the heart of everything Arsenal do going forward at the minute. He’s scored in seven consecutive games at the Emirates – the first player to do so since Robin Van Persie in 2012.
He is the centre forward Arsenal have been crying out for. Surely the system can’t be tinkered with again.