AARON RAMSDALE claims he left Arsenal because he did not fancy the idea of winning trophies while sat on the bench.
And as a starter for Southampton on his North London return, he nearly put a dent in their bid to claim the Premier League crown come May.
Cameron Archer’s 55th minute shock opener stunned an already-panicky Gunners side – only for their electric reaction to mirror one of wannabe champions.
Kai Havertz netted three minutes later for his seventh goal in seven successive home games – a joint-record for Arsenal at the Emirates.
Super-sub Gabriel Martinelli then completed the turnaround in the 68th minute before Bukayo Saka ended the contest in the 88th minute, adding to his two assists in style.
Saints boss Russell Martin said last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth was “painful” but he should be proud of his battling side here – even if it is one of their worst ever starts to a top flight campaign with a draw and six defeats.
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Arsenal meanwhile are now without defeat in 16 games in all competitions – the longest run under Mikel Arteta – and their unbeaten streak at home to newly promoted sides has stretched to 41 games.
Yet for the second week in a row, having left it late to beat Leicester, Arteta’s boys give reason to think that this title race is going to be the most topsy-turvy in recent memory.
Martin made four changes, including surprise first starts for striker Ross Stewart and defender Ryan Manning. Stewart had just 10 minutes of Prem experience under his belt.
Arteta’s starting line-up was anything but settled. Holding midfielder Thomas Partey was at right-back and centre forward Kai Havertz was in an attacking midfield role.
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This one was also deemed suitable for the fringe players to impress. Jorginho, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling in for Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and injured Jurrien Timber.
Partey’s position was the most concerning, however – the Ghanaian had not played there since a 2-2 draw at home to Fulham back in August 2023.
The Saints could sense that, hence why from kick-off Ramsdale launched one onto Partey’s head as an early livener.
Ramsdale had been serenaded by the Ashburton Army before the first whistle, and spent a lot of time hugging his old pals in the tunnel with a wry smile.
That smile was perhaps because he knew those warm feelings would soon evaporate from the first whistle and his gloves would be kept plenty warm from a peppering of shots.
The first corner arrived in the third minute. Arteta had hinted at a change of approach to confuse Ramsdale – a man with an in-depth knowledge of the successful routines created by set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.
But those were just mind games as Arsenal’s corner beasts stuck to the script, crowding the back post with Gabriel the roaming heading assassin.
Yet Ramsdale and a dogged Saints defence had done their homework and stayed resolute.
Arsenal had a total of eight first half corners that never came close to finding the net.
The visitors were playing the frustrating role incredibly well. At one point, devoid of answers, Declan Rice went short with a corner. Unheard of in the Jover playbook.
In open play, Arsenal were just as loose and sloppy, wasting chance after chance while Martin’s boys flung themselves in front of shot after shot.
Bukayo Saka initially gave Kyle Walker-Peters a torrid time before the Saints defender ganged up on the England star with Ryan Manning to limit his influence.
And with Partey not a natural right-back accustomed to the art of the overlap, Saka had little joy, and eventually got a good studs-up kicking from Walker Peters that warranted a yellow.
Sterling and Jesus – eager to impress – were falling flat. Sterling had two mazy runs – one from a poor pass out from Ramsdale – while Jesus’s lightning reactions were missing.
The Saints were forced into an early change in the 25th minute as Stewart hobbled off for Archer.
In hindsight, an inspired switch.
Martin would have taken a lot of first half positives with some neat play out the back on occasion without really bothering David Raya up the other end.
Meanwhile, Jorginho volleyed just wide and Partey had Arsenal’s first shot on target in first half injury time – palmed away by Ramsdale and almost tapped in by Sterling but for Jan Bednarek’s timely interception.
The hosts were nervy after the break. Perhaps they still had scars from blowing a 2-0 lead against Leicester last weekend before a late, late show to somehow win 4-2.
Mateus Fernandes should have scored in the 49th minute, clipping onto the roof of the net from a brilliant drive by Tyler Dibling.
Saints continued to smell blood and got their just rewards. Sterling was weak in midfield from contact by Fernandes who then looped a ball over the backline into Archer’s feet.
Saliba got back, only to deflect Archer’s shot into Raya’s far corner.
Martin’s celebration was epic, but so was Arsenal’s reaction from a lazy pass by Flynn Downes allowing Havertz to race away and beat Ramsdale off his right post.
Arteta was relieved, but still rung the changes with an incoming trio of Martinelli, Trossard and a Prem debut in Mikel Merino replacing Sterling, Jesus and Jorginho.
It had the desired effect. Saka – finally with a bit of space against a tiring Saints defence – with a superb cross the back post for Martinelli to ping first time through Ramsdale’s legs.
Comeback complete, but Arsenal’s surprising lack of control and composure meant this game still threatened one last twist.
Dibling ducked and dived and smacked the post from range, hitting Gabriel on its way, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis clattered the bar with Raya punching the ball off the defender.
Yet just like against Leicester, another last-gasp burst cemented the win – Saka latching onto Sugawara’s dallying in the box with a potent finish.
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With a maddening nine minutes added time, and the home end chanting Ramsdale’s name, the keeper was able to soak up the atmosphere of a club who may well go on to claim silverware this year.
He, most definitely, will not.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
