Arsenal 3-1 Southampton: What Were The Main Talking Points As The Gunners Avoid A Major Banana Skin In North London?

Despite briefly chasing a shock second-half deficit at the Emirates, Arsenal secured a 3-1 victory against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

Failing to notch a first-half strike despite their dominance, Mikel Arteta’s title contenders then had to go about things the hard way as Cameron Archer opened the scoring in the 55th-minute.

However, while the Emirates might have been briefly silenced, Arsenal completed a quick fire turnaround as Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli ensured the Gunners made a full recovery.

Building on their Champions League success from earlier in the week, England international Bukayo Saka confirmed maximum points late on following Southampton’s error at the back.

While the Gunners might have stayed just a single point behind early leaders Liverpool, Saturday’s guests have collected just a single point from any of their first seven Premier League appearances.

On an afternoon when Arsenal extended on their unbeaten start to the new season, we have taken a look at the key talking points from the Emirates.

Arsenal mount a crucial turnaround

Making a major Champions League statement earlier in the week as they secured a deserved 2-0 victory at home against French giants PSG, Arsenal opened Saturday’s showdown smelling a golden opportunity.

While the Gunners might have briefly been trailing here following Southampton’s shock opener, Arteta’s squad dominated for large spells and successfully avoided what would have been an infamous banana skin in north London.

Although Arsenal might have fallen short last season as they missed out on the chance to get their hands on a first Premier League crown since 2004, Saturday’s hosts are once again regarded as Manchester City’s main threat.

Yet to suffer a single defeat across any competition since opening up the new campaign, Arteta’s title contenders will also be excited by their clinical performances in the final third.

Signing off September with an action-packed 4-2 victory against Leicester, Arsenal have notched 15 Premier League strikes so far this season – a tally that is only surpassed by Man City (17).

Saka & Havertz shine at the Emirates

While many around north London might have been surprised 16 months ago as Arsenal welcomed Havertz to the Emirates following a £65million move from Chelsea, the Germany international has quickly become a key part of Arteta’s plans.

Dragging the Gunners level here and really finding his feet as in Arsenal’s false nine role, Havertz has now found the net in each of his previous four consecutive appearances across all competitions.

Forming what has become a clinical partnership with Saka, the 25-year-old has also registered four Premier League goals so far this season and was once again pivotal in Arsenal’s comeback.

Saka once again proved invaluable to the Gunners’ cause on Saturday afternoon, with his role in all three goals taking his tally to 10 goal involvements in 10 games in all competitions this season.

Flying out of the traps since opening up the new campaign, the England international has only continued to build on his impressive performances while away with the Three Lions over the summer at EURO 24.

Pressure remains on Martin’s shoulders

While Southampton might have secured an immediate Premier League return back in May as they secured a nail-biting 1-0 victory against Leeds at Wembley, the Saints have drastically struggled to deal with the stern leap up in quality.

Although the former Swansea boss might have been quick to praise his side’s performance in north London, the pressure on Martin’s shoulders remains at a boiling point.

Eventually suffering a collapse at the Emirates and failing to collect what would have been remembered as a famous scalp in the capital, it is no secret that Southampton are pencilled in as a landslide relegation candidate this season.

Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny earlier in the week as they slumped to another 3-1 defeat at the hands of bitter arch-rivals Bournemouth, many around St. Mary’s have been calling for a change in the dugout.

Putting just a single point on the board from any of their first seven Premier League appearances, Martin’s downbeat squad have an almighty uphill battle on their hands.

Match Report

Arsenal: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Rice, Saka, Sterling, Havertz, Jesus

Subs: Kiwior, Tomiyasu, Martinelli, Merino, Trossard

Southampton: Stewart, Sugwara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Walker-Peters, Manning, Fernandes, Downes, Aribo, Dibling, Stweart

Subs: Armstrong, Taylor, Onuachu, Archer

Goals: Arsenal: Havertz (58’), Martinelli (68’), Saka (88’) – Southampton: Archer (55’)

Yellow Cards: Walker-Peters, Dibling, Bednarek

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Tony Harrington