ARSENAL have secured a huge win against Southampton to keep in touching distance of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Cameron Archer stunned the Gunners by firing the Saints ahead.
But Kai Havertz scored a record-equalling goal to level the scoring before Gabriel Martinelli put the hosts in front.
And Bukayo Saka’s late goal made sure of the points.
- RESULT: Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
- TV channel/live stream: Not televised in the UK due to blackout
- Arsenal team: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Sterling, Jesus
- Southampton team: Ramsdale, Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Walker-Peters, Manning, Downes, Aribo, Dibling, Fernandes, Stewart
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FT: Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
The Saints gave a much better account of themselves today.
Arsenal just had too much firepower for them over the course of the ninety minutes.
Southampton dreamed of an upset here when they scored against the run of play but it was not to be.
FT: Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
The referee brings the game to a close.
It is a vital win for Arsenal before the international break.
Mikel Arteta celebrates on the touchline.
Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
90+8. Trossaard drives forward once again.
He looks to play it into the path of Martinelli but sends him too wide.
The Brazilian looks to cut it back from the byline but Ramsdale cuts it out with ease.
Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
90+6. Rice swings in another corner for the hosts.
Gabriel rises to meet it at the back post but cannot get his effort on target.
Arsenal have failed to make those corners count as they usually do today.
Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
90+4. This has been a very different test for Arsenal today.
Much-fancied to get a convincing win, The Saints have made themselves difficult to break down.
It is only when they opened up more, looking to get forward themselves, that The Gunners have had any joy.
Credit: AFP Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
90+2. You feel any chance of getting something from this game has gone now for Southampton.
It is more a case of damage limitation now.
They have played well in the main and do not deserve a hammering with the final scoreline.
Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
90. The Emirates erupted as that shot hit the back of the net.
Two-one is always a nervy scoreline as it only takes one moment of magic to take the win away from you.
We are going to have nine added minutes.
Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
88. Trossard drives forward through the heart of the defence.
As a tackle comes in, the ball breaks kindly for Saka.
He strokes the ball home to ensure all three points for Arsenal.
Goal – Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
86. The Gunners are looking a bit nervy at the back now.
Southampton on the other hand, are looking like a completely different team.
If they played like this more consistently, they would have a much better points return, that is for sure.
Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
86. Tomiyasu comes on for Partey.
Arteta seemingly want to hold onto what they have now.
Southampton are running out of time to get anything from this game.
Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
82. The Saints are asking real questions of the Arsenal defence.
Sugawara plays a teasing ball across the six yard box but no one is there to tap home.
Archer really needed to be gambling on that ball coming in more.
Credit: Reuters Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
80. Wow. What a huge chance for the visitors.
As the corner comes in, Raya completely misses his punch.
The ball strikes Harwood-Bellis and crashes against the crossbar.
Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
78. Southampton have made this difficult for Arsenal this afternoon.
Had they kept hold of their lead for longer, it would have made for a nervy end to the game for the hosts.
Now they need to chase this game.
Dibling tries a curling shot from outside the box but it deflects off a defender and strikes the outside of the post.
Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
76. Arsenal are happy to just retain possession and knock the ball around now.
The Saints are having to send more players forward to create another glimpse of goal.
Despite the scoreline, this game is still finely poised.
Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
74. Arsenal look a far bigger threat with Trossard and Martinelli on the pitch.
They are making runs that create space for the likes of Saka.
You feel The Gunners need another goal to make sure of the victory.
Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
72. As predicted Southampton have just struggled to maintain this compact defence for the entire game.
No one was picking up Martinelli as he ghosted in to score at the back post.
Southampton will need to venture forward more now if they are going to get anything from this game.
Credit: AP Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
70. It is amazing how long these reviews take.
You would think it is pretty simple to draw a straight line on a computer monitor.
Finally, they decide that Martinelli was onside.
Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
68. Saka plays a delightful ball into the back post.
Martinelli arrives late to stroke home at the back post.
VAR is reviewing a possible offside for the Brazilian.
Goal – Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
Arsenal 1-1 Southampton
66. The Gunners are piling on the pressure now.
Merino is penalised for a foul on Aribo as he tried to win the header.
It gives the visitors a bit of breathing space to regroup now.
Arsenal 1-1 Southampton
64. Arsenal are brimming with confidence now.
The movement off the ball is causing problems for Martin’s side.
Partey strikes from outside of the box but it deflects wide of the goal.
Arsenal 1-1 Southampton
62. This is a far more entertaining game now.
However, as Southampton open up more in an attacking sense it gives The Gunners more space to work with.
Rice tries a shot from distance but it goes well over the crossbar.
Arsenal 1-1 Southampton
60. Arsenal look to shift it up a gear now.
They stream forward once again and force a corner but the referee pulls it back for an offside in the build-up.
Sterling and Jesus are replaced by Martinelli and Trossard.
Jorginho comes off for Merino.
Credit: Reuters Arsenal 1-1 Southampton
58. Well that may be one of the shortest leads of the season.
Saka plays the ball into the path of Havertz who shifts it onto his left foot and lets fly from outside the box.
His effort strikes the inside of the post with Ramsdale well beaten.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
