Arsenal made it 4 wins in a row throughout all competitions as they secured a 3-1 victory over Southampton on the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The win retains them inside one level of Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis atop the Premier League desk.
The Gunners made a powerful begin by making use of stress and crafting numerous alternatives by corners, however they weren’t in a position to create early vital possibilities regardless of promising indicators. That was the theme for the primary half after the Saints weathered the preliminary storm, with Arsenal not threatening once more till the top of the opening 45 minutes as Raheem Sterling‘s effort was blocked by defender Jan Bednarek earlier than Thomas Partey pressured a save from goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Southampton managed to take the lead when Sterling was dispossessed to ignite an assault that led to a tremendous end from Cameron Archer, although they did not maintain onto it for lengthy. Simply three minutes later, Bukayo Saka received again possession and performed in Kai Havertz to complete emphatically off the submit.
Saka was concerned once more because the hosts obtained in entrance with a wonderful go that was tucked away on the again submit by substitute Gabriel Martinelli, who got here on as a part of a triple substitution by Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta. A 3rd objective from Bukayo Saka within the 89th minute ensured there was no probability of an upset.
Positives
The performances of Saka and Havertz might be reassuring for Arsenal followers as they proceed to navigate a interval with out Martin Odegaard. Three factors additionally means the Gunners preserve stress on the highest of the desk because the worldwide break beckons.
Negatives
Arsenal drifted out of the match in the course of the primary half and did not take advantage of spells throughout which that they had Southampton beneath stress. Additionally they may have been higher defensively at occasions, with Southampton discovering moments to create alternatives within the second half.
Supervisor ranking (1-10; 10 = finest)
Mikel Arteta, 7 — Arteta’s recreation plan induced loads of issues for Southampton, who insisted on taking part in the ball out from the again, whereas it additionally took simply 10 minutes earlier than one in every of his substitutes made an affect, with Martinelli’s objective placing Arsenal in entrance.
Participant rankings
GK David Raya, 6 — Raya had little to do aside from choose the ball out of the online for Archer’s objective.
DF Riccardo Calafiori, 6 — Concerned often in Arsenal’s buildup down the left flank and was an issue for Southampton when slicing inside, however may have defended higher at occasions, particularly when crushed too simply by Southampton’s Tyler Dibling within the second half.
DF Gabriel Magalhães, 6 — Robust within the problem when isolating opposition forwards, and as ever a risk from corners. Positioned properly to clear the hazard when Southampton appeared to use late stress.
DF William Saliba, 6 — Did not ship when known as upon after permitting Archer to show onto his stronger foot earlier than Southampton’s opener, however in any other case faultless on the again.
DF Thomas Partey, 6 — Compelled a save with an effort from outdoors of the field in stoppage time of the primary half, however did not have a lot to do defensively with Southampton not creating a lot down Arsenal’s proper flank.
MF Declan Rice, 6 — Spectacular runs from Rice helped create area that led to some promising assaults for Arsenal, in a efficiency throughout which he took care of possession to assist dominate the midfield battle.
MF Jorginho, 6 — He had some constructive moments when transitioning the ball in direction of attacking gamers within the first half to assist management the sport. Changed by Mikel Merino on the hour mark.
MF Kai Havertz, 8 — The 25-year-old produced an distinctive end on his left foot that left Ramsdale with no probability after the ball went in off the submit. Linked play impressively when getting ahead, in addition to bringing teammates into play together with his flick-ons from lengthy balls.
FW Raheem Sterling, 5 — Unfortunate with an effort getting ready to half-time together with his strike that seemed to be getting in blocked by Bednarek. Partly at fault for Southampton’s objective after being dispossessed too simply in midfield regardless of claims for a foul.
FW Bukayo Saka, 9 — A frequent risk down the left flank in a match throughout which Saka typically received his duels and appeared to beat his marker earlier than getting crosses into the field. Performed a pivotal function in Arsenal’s equaliser after intercepting a go to win possession earlier than taking part in in Havertz to attain. Capped his efficiency with a objective to seal the sport within the 89th minute. That is back-to-back Man of the Match shows within the Premier League for the 23-year-old.
FW Gabriel Jesus, 5 — He tried to play extra straight within the second half with an early strike at objective, however he wasn’t concerned a lot general earlier than ultimately being changed on the hour mark by Leandro Trossard.
Substitutes (gamers launched after 70 minutes = no ranking)
Gabriel Martinelli (Sterling, 60″), 7 — It took simply 10 minutes for Martinelli to make an affect with a well-timed run and end from Saka’s go, although his timing on the run was equally as spectacular.
Leandro Trossard (Jesus, 60″), 6 — Trossard held the ball up properly beneath stress to assist Arsenal management the sport within the remaining levels of the match. Drove on the defence on to pressure a mistake which led to Saka’s objective.
Mikel Merino (Jorginho, 61″), 6 — Composed in possession and saved the play ticking at a time when Arsenal wanted to ascertain management earlier than scoring their third objective. Two wins from two for the Spain worldwide, who made his Premier League debut after starring in midweek towards Paris Saint-Germain.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (Partey, 84″), N/R — Launched late as Arsenal appeared to see out the rest of the match.
Jakub Kiwior (Calafiori, 90″), N/R — Introduced on because the Gunners accomplished their celebrations after Saka’s objective put the sport out of attain.