It might have been made harder than it should have been, but Arsenal mercifully scored three times against Aaron Ramsdale’s Southampton to grab an all-important three points. With the results of their title rivals, Mikel Arteta could not afford to drop any here.
Like with the clash with Leicester City, there was still an air of inevitability. Thankfully, on this occasion, the Gunners did not leave it until stoppage time to score two goals and very swiftly levelled the scores after Cameron Archer’s goal.
The international break is up next but the league table remains a healthy reference point to lift the mood amongst those inside the club and of course the supporters outside.
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.
Gabriel Martinelli has heaped praise on Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, describing him as one of the best players in the world.
Saka, 23, was instrumental in Arsenal’s comeback victory over Southampton on Saturday, ensuring the Gunners stayed hot on the heels of Premier League leaders Liverpool and Manchester City. After Southampton’s Cameron Archer netted an early goal, Saka robbed Flynn Downes to tee up Kai Havertz for his fourth goal in consecutive matches.
Martinelli, coming off the bench, then met a precise Saka cross to score in the 68th minute, before Saka himself scored late on to seal the win. With seven assists in the league this season, Saka leads the assist charts in Europe’s top five leagues and has now overtaken Arsenal legend Robert Pires with 41 assists.
Bukayo Saka is undoubtedly the shining star of Arsenal, and he proved it once again as the Gunners triumphed over Southampton with a score of 3-1. He was eager for them to maintain their unbeaten start to this new campaign by ensuring the North Londoners dominated.
Here is Bukayo Saka’s game by numbers vs. Southampton:
15 touches in opp. box
8x possession won
7 chances created
7 shots
3 duels won
2 fouls won
2 shots on target
2 assists
1 goal
The Arsenal prodigy has become a remarkable force in creating opportunities. Havertz’s efforts and contributions are commendable, but Saka has truly stepped up since the sidelining of Arsenal’s captain Odegaard.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed Bukayo Saka for delivering match-winning moments when the team needed them most, after his starring role in Arsenal’s 3-1 comeback victory over Southampton on Saturday.
The Gunners fell behind early in the second half after Cameron Archer scored for Southampton. However, Saka sparked the turnaround, contributing two goals and an assist to lead Arsenal to an important Premier League win.
Saka’s influence was evident when his precise pass allowed Kai Havertz to equalise, capitalising on a mistake by Flynn Downes. He then provided a perfect cross for Gabriel Martinelli to tap in, giving Arsenal the lead at 2-1. Despite Southampton threatening to equalise, Saka secured the victory with a well-deserved goal, capitalising on an error from Yukinari Sugawara late in the match.
Reflecting on Saka’s growing influence, Arteta praised his maturity and impact on the team. “That’s the maturity and the steps that players have to take,” Arteta said. “He’s been long enough in the team now – he’s earned the right to have that role. He believes in that, and he has the capacity to change games, decide games, like many other players. If you want to be at the top, players have to create those moments, and he’s certainly done that today.”
When asked if Saka’s performances should now be considered routine, Arteta disagreed, emphasising that Saka had taken his game to a new level. “I think he’s another step ahead of where he was, especially when he delivers in big moments, not just when it’s 3-0. That’s what defines a top player.”
At just 23 years old, Saka has already amassed 61 goals and 60 assists in 236 appearances for Arsenal. When asked whether his youth should still be a factor, Arteta pointed to his incredible statistics. “You can’t ignore the stats. What he’s doing at his age is unbelievable.”
Saka has started all 10 games for Arsenal across all competitions this season, as well as two Nations League matches for England. With three goals and seven assists already for the Gunners, Arteta admitted that resting the winger is a challenge given his current form.
When asked if he had considered benching Saka this season, Arteta acknowledged the need for load management. “Yeah, there is [temptation], and we’ve taken him off a couple of times this season. We have to manage his load, but at the moment, he’s in a good place.”
Arsenal entered the international break with their unbeaten Premier League record intact after a 3-1 win over Southampton at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners faced an early second-half setback but rallied to secure a crucial victory that keeps their strong form alive.
Southampton stunned the home crowd with a 55th-minute opener from Cameron Archer, putting Arsenal on the back foot. However, Mikel Arteta’s side responded swiftly, with the in-form Kai Havertz equalising just three minutes later. Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench to give Arsenal the lead in the 68th minute, and Bukayo Saka sealed all three points with a late strike in the 88th minute.
This marks the third consecutive week that Arsenal have been forced to come from behind, yet they have consistently found ways to earn positive results. Against Manchester City, they fought back to draw after falling behind, and a similar comeback effort saw them win late on against Leicester City. On this occasion, Arsenal trailed for only three minutes before regaining control and securing a win that, on paper, appeared more routine than the game’s flow suggested.
BBC Sport pundit Dion Dublin praised Arsenal’s newfound resilience and “grit,” qualities he believes have been missing in recent years. Speaking on Final Score, Dublin highlighted the determination within the squad, calling it a “horrible side” that enables them to push through difficult moments.
“Arsenal have got something new which I haven’t seen in many years,” Dublin said via the BBC Sport website. “This horrible side, the grit and determination – they’re all happy to do it, and they’ll muck in. They have the heart this time, and they are hurting from the disappointments of the last couple of years.”
Dublin’s comments align with what Miguel Delaney of The Independent recently observed in his Reading the Game newsletter. Delaney noted how Arteta was particularly impressed with how his team handled the emotional challenges of their recent match against Leicester City. Arteta, aware of how costly squandering leads can be, was encouraged by his team’s ability to stay composed and avoid letting emotions dictate their play.
“The Arsenal manager knows how galling it can be when a team thinks they have a game won only to squander a 2-0 lead and be pegged back to 2-2, which was why he was so enthused by the response,” Delaney wrote. “The team didn’t allow the emotion to get to them in the way they might have done in the past.”
Havertz scored his fourth Premier League goal of the season – and sixth in all competitions – as the Gunners maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign with a 3-1 victory against Southampton. After Cameron Archer’s shock opener put Arsenal behind, the German international levelled the score in the 58th minute with a clinical finish from Bukayo Saka’s pass, sparking the comeback.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Havertz that we’re seeing at Emirates Stadium is completely different to the one who couldn’t quite find himself at Chelsea. He recorded his highest tally in the English top flight last season and is going some way to dispelling the idea that Arsenal need a better number nine in order to win the title.
Arsenal FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC – Premier League
Getty Images Sport
WHAT ARTETA SAID
“You can tell [his confidence has grown], he takes the ball and he runs with the ball,” Arteta said after the Saints win. “He’s on high press, he goes full gas, the way he holds the ball, the position he takes in the box. He’s an attacking midfielder, he plays as a nine, you don’t know where he is, that’s his football brain. His focus now is ‘I’m going to win the game, I’m going to do it’ and that’s a different thing.
“When he’s practising, he wants more and he’s not satisfied with what he’s doing because there is still, I think, another level from him. Obviously, he’s surrounded by incredible players but something has changed in him and that confidence, you really sense it and now he’s putting it into games and he’s winning football matches which is great.”
DID YOU KNOW?
The 25-year-old has now scored in seven games in a row at Emirates Stadium, matching Robin van Persie’s record from the 2011-12 campaign.
Germany v Hungary – UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A3
Getty Images Sport
WHAT NEXT FOR HAVERTZ?
Havertz has been included in Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany squad for their Nations League games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands on October 11 and 14 respectively.
Arsenal have got very little wrong in their transfer business over the past few years, but former winger Theo Walcott believes that one deal which saw a player depart came late
Ex-Arsenal star Theo Walcott believes that Eddie Nketiah should’ve left the club sooner for his own sake.
Nketiah, 25, signed for fellow London side Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day in August for £30million, having decided to leave the Gunners after more than a decade with them. The former England youth international was largely a backup striker under Mikel Arteta, starting most games on the bench and being used as an impact substitute.
When Gabriel Jesus was signed from Manchester City in the summer of 2022, it was clear that Arteta wanted someone else to lead the line. That same summer, though, Nketiah was handed a new long-term contract and handed the club’s iconic No.14 shirt, once worn by club legend Thierry Henry and later Walcott.
On Saturday, Nketiah lined up to face Liverpool as Palace suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat on home soil. During BBC Radio 5 Live’s coverage of the game, Walcott gave his verdict on the 25-year-old’s Arsenal exit.
“It was a move that probably should have happened earlier,” the ex-Gunners winger admitted. “It is a move which can go well and Palace is a good football club. In time he will be a good signing for Palace.”
Although Nketiah tried his best to make the No.9 role his own at Arsenal, he ultimately decided to leave this summer. “It was about me being happy,” he told the Independent this week.
“I wasn’t unhappy – there were things I loved about the club, I’d been at Arsenal all my life – but at the end of the day, a football player wants to play football. Obviously only 11 can play and you have to respect the manager’s decision. But there comes a point when you have to think about your personal development.”
Eddie Nketiah is embarking on a new journey with Crystal Palace(
Image:
Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Following Nketiah’s move to Palace, Arteta remarked: “We are so grateful to Eddie for his performances with us. He is a player who has developed well through our academy and now he takes this opportunity with Crystal Palace. Eddie is a top professional, loved by everyone at the club, who wanted and needed to play more minutes. We wish Eddie well as he moves onto his next challenge.”
Arsenal sporting director Edu added: “Eddie has had a great journey from our Academy into our first team, and we send him our thanks and best wishes as he moves to Crystal Palace. It is important for Eddie to be playing regular first-team football and we are happy we have concluded a very positive transfer deal for his move. Eddie has a lot of friends here after many years at the club and we wish him good luck in his next step.”
ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta wished Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and manager Russell Martin “all the best” following their 3-1 defeat on Saturday.
Goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka ensured the Gunners came back from behind to secure all three points against a winless Saints.
Cameron Archer had put Martin’s side ahead, prompting jubilant scenes in the away end, having come on in the first half for the injured Ross Stewart.
Martin admitted he was proud of his players but was left frustrated by the manner of goals they conceded after taking the lead.
The result kept Arsenal on pace with Liverpool and Manchester City in the title race while Saints remain 19th.
Their search for a first Premier League win continues, however, Crystal Palace, Wolves and Ipswich are also without a win – Leicester got their maiden three points against AFC Bournemouth.
Speaking at the Emirates, Arteta said: “I wished him (Ramsdale) all the best. I congratulated him for the way Southampton played.
“I wish him the best. I hope they do well, especially for Aaron and the manager as well because they are a very good side.”
Arsenal hosted Southampton at the Emirates Stadium for a Premier League clash this afternoon.
Arsenal beat Southampton 3-1 on Saturday afternoon.
Mikel Arteta’s side were utterly dominant in the first half in terms of possession and territory, but could not find a way through the Saints’ dogged defensive effort.
The visitors then took the lead against the run of play after the break, before Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka all scored a goal each to secure the three points.
Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
Jorginho is looking his age
Handed just his second Premier League start of the season so far, Jorginho was typically tidy in possession and helped to keep the Gunners on the ball. However, the 32-year-old midfield veteran’s lack of pace was exposed at times when Southampton sought to counter-attack.
He was replaced by Mikel Merino on the hour mark who came on to make his Premier League debut after the pace of the game ticked up a notch.
Arsenal fans still love Aaron Ramsdale
Aaron Ramsdale was a popular figure throughout his time at Arsenal but left in the most recent summer transfer window having lost his starting berth to David Raya last season. The manager’s decision to change his No. 1 has since been justified though, as Raya has been in spectacular form this season.
However, the returning shot-stopper was still given a warm welcome upon his return to North London. Ramsdale was reduced to tears by the reception he received from the Emirates Stadium faithful this afternoon.
Mikel Arteta’s patience with Gabriel Jesus tested
Gabriel Jesus has been in poor form recently and is currently enduring a lengthy barren run in front of goal. Meanwhile, Havertz is flying for the Gunners and is now firmly established as Arteta’s first choice to lead the line.
This was another difficult afternoon for the Brazilian, as he once again failed to find the back of the net and his decision-making was poor at times. Jesus talked Arteta into keeping him at the club this summer and the manager may now be regretting that decision.
Bukayo Saka is a demanding leader
One such poor Jesus decision was seen in the first half, when the forward had the opportunity to play Saka through on goal but neglected to play the pass. Saka was spotted reacting angrily to this, clearly demanding better from Jesus.
Saka has regularly captained Arsenal in usual skipper Martin Odegaard’s injury enforced absence. Whilst the Norwegian playmaker will reclaim the armband upon his return to action, Saka is now established as a leader within the squad.
Gabriel Martinelli showing signs of new life
Martinelli came on from the bench to grab the winning goal against the Saints. After having struggled to provide end product for so long, the Brazilian has now scored in back to back Premier League games.
Martinelli has benefitted from Odegaard’s injury, as Arsenal have had to change the way they play to accommodate for the midfielder’s absence. Arteta will be keen to see Martinelli maintain his improved form upon the captain’s return.
