SETTABLOID

Arsenal managed to secure another vital three points against one of their bogey sides, Southampton on Saturday. It was by no means a simple task and the Gunners needed to come from behind to get the result.

Arsenal were frustrated throughout the first half as they peppered Aaron Ramsdale’s box with chance after chance but could not find their way through. Southampton’s surprise goal by Cameron Archer was cancelled out quickly by Kai Havertz’s strike. Gabriel Martinelli would then give the Gunners the lead after an excellent cross from Bukayo Saka, finished first time by the Brazilian. Saka would then add a third to help secure the points.

With it being a 3pm UK afternoon kick-off, the embargo was of course in place limiting those of whom were able to watch the proceedings. Thankfully, football.london were in attendance to not only describe the action but for those able to catch the television pictures on offer, we managed to spot all the happenings that the cameras missed.

Never seen that before

The benefit of being in the ground is you seen things that only those also with you can spot. Specifically, this can be before kick-off during warm-ups and Aaron Ramsdale naturally got a lot of the focus, clapping the home fans before heading toward his own supporters.

But it was a moment before this which caught my attention instead regarding Southampton head coach Russell Martin. Five minutes before the kick-off, the Saints boss ran out, all the way across the pitch to the away supporters to clap them and encourage their support – not something I can say I have ever seen.

Kai Havertz wanting more from Partey

It was indeed a frustrating opening 45 minutes for Arsenal. After a blistering start and a spate of chances, Southampton rode out the storm and won the war of attrition. Continuing to block shots throughout the first period with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

With Ramsdale down receiving treatment after a collision with Raheem Sterling, Havertz was spotted pulling Thomas Partey for a chat. Seen indicating that he wanted some lower-driven whipped passes across the face to get on to, perhaps a hint that the aerial bombardment simply was not doing the business for the former Chelsea man – his goal would indeed come from a low quick pass into him from the right by Saka.

Arteta shouts at Partey

Early in the second half, it seemed that the angst of the chances that failed to fall the Gunners’ way had taken enough of a mental toll that early mistakes had reached the stage of provoking a reaction from the manager. Partey, in the unorthodox right-back role, passed the ball straight into the feet of Mateus Fernandes.

Luckily the ball rebounded gratefully back into the Ghanaian’s possession to lay it off for David Raya. Spinning attention to Mikel Arteta on the sideline, arms were aloft in frustration as the Spaniard then shouted across the field to his midfielder who responded well and wouldn’t make an error for the remainder of the clash before he was replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Mikel Arteta has made his thoughts perfectly clear on Arsenal star Thomas Partey with his future still uncertain. The Ghana international, who sees his contract expire next summer, was expected to depart ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, however he remained at Emirates Stadium for a fifth season.

Injuries have plagued the midfielder in recent years but he has started every Premier League game this season, which shows Arteta is clearly still of the belief he is an important player. Both Mikel Merino and Declan Rice, as recent midfield signings, are favoured by Arteta in more advanced positions which leaves Partey and Jorginho as his two holding midfielders.

The Italy international will also see his contract expire in 2025 after signing a one-year extension earlier this year which leaves Arteta and Edu with two huge decisions. Though there is a possibility both could leave, Arteta’s latest comments on Partey suggest he would be more than happy for him to stay.

“Very important as he is a massive player for us,” Arteta replied when asked about Partey’s performance levels this season. “He has shown that for us week in, week out. He has started the season really well. The way he came back post-holidays it was probably the best condition he has been in so that was really helpful.

“Now he needs to continue to adapt. We have managed certain minutes of him and he is doing everything he can to be in the best physical condition. It is about consistency. Obviously when you change certain habits, things don’t happen overnight.

“If it doesn’t happen in two or three weeks and you throw in the towel, you waste the next two or three years of your career. He is doing everything to adapt and his work ethic has been better than ever. Defensively he has been really solid and with the ball he had moments.

“The other day was probably his most complete performance because he gave us everything we wanted from him.” Asked specifically if he was playing for his future, Arteta unsurprisingly, did not give a straight response to that question.

“We are playing to find our best version and the most competitive team we can be to win every single game,” he said. Based on Arteta’s praise for Partey, he may well want to keep him on for another few years with the option of signing a short-term contract certainly on the table.

Edu has played a key role in tying down several key players to new contracts, with Ben White as the most recent star to agree fresh terms, and his next task could be convincing Partey to extend his stay at the club and not look to secure a transfer exit.

Though there is seven months remaining on his deal, Arsenal may want to work quickly if their final decision is for Partey to stay with the 31-year-old able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with other clubs in January.