Bukayo Saka backs up Arsenal demand in comeback win over Southampton - 5 talking points
ARSENAL 3-1 SOUTHAMPTON: Bukayo Saka assists two before finding the back of the net himself as the Gunners come from behind to secure three points against the struggling Saints
Mikel Arteta's triple substitution helped Arsenal come from behind to see off a spirited Southampton side.
The Gunners were frustrated by a well-organised Saints side in the first half and the away side took a surprise lead when Cameron Archer found the bottom corner on the counter-attack. But their lead didn't last long, with Kai Havertz scoring via the inside of the post minutes later to level at 1-1.
Arteta seized the initiative, bringing on Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino in the 60th minute and immediately reaped the benefits, with the outstanding Bukayo Saka crossing for Martinelli to tap in at the back post. Saints went close through Mateus Fernandes, Tyler Dibling and Adam Armstrong, with the latter two hitting the woodwork.
Saka had been shackled in the first half, but after recording two assists he found the back of the net in the closing stages after a mistake by Yukinari Sugawara to make sure of the three points. "I have a been a runner-up a lot and this season I want to win,” Saka said after the win over Paris Saint-Germain. He backed up those words today. Here are the talking points from the Emirates Stadium.
Ramsdale's tears
Many players would be expecting a frosty reception and maybe some boos when returning to a former club, and while Aaron Ramsdale might not have been expecting that, he probably didn't call what happened either. The Southampton goalkeeper, who swapped north London for the south coast in a £25million transfer over the summer, was moved to tears by the warm welcome he got while warming up on his old stomping ground.
Ramsdale revealed recently that he still speaks to Mikel Arteta, who gave him his blessing to leave in pursuit of regular game time after losing his place to David Raya. And after a torrid evening at Bournemouth on Monday, Ramsdale had a much better time of it at Arsenal. The defence in front of him stood firm throughout the first half, despite being pinned in by set piece after set piece and his only real save of note came when Thomas Partey fired in a low shot.
His side could not leave with any points, but as the game wound down in the nine added minutes, Ramsdale was once again hailed by the fans.
Saka double-teamed
In American football, defences often double up on their opponents' star wide receiver or tight-end in an effort to shut them down. Saints manager Russell Martin took a leaf out of an NFL playbook by essentially fielding two left-backs to go up against Bukayo Saka.
Neither Kyle Walker-Peters nor Ryan Manning played in the 3-1 loss to Bournemouth on Monday, yet both started at the Emirates. While Manning started ahead of his team-mate, as a left-sided midfielder on paper, they played alongside each other to stop Saka cutting inside onto his favoured left foot. It worked nicely, too, with Saka seeing a lot of the ball but struggling to manufacture much in the first half. That was to change after the break as Saka showed that even two markers can't stop him.
Arsenal hit back
There was utter shock inside the Emirates when Mateus Fernandes released Archer and he sprinted off, cut inside and found the bottom corner in the 55th minute. Archer celebrated his first Premier League goal for Saints in front of the jubilant away end - but they weren't celebrating for long.
Southampton managed not to shoot themselves in the foot for the entire first half, with Ramsdale often taking a route-one approach when Arsenal's press stepped up. But a sloppy pass from skipper Flynn Downes was pounced upon, with Saka releasing Havertz, who finished expertly via the inside of the post. Saints' lead lasted just three minutes.
Subs step up the tempo
Many Arsenal fans were confused when they saw the team sheet, with Partey at right-back and Martinelli and Trossard on the bench. The answer was no doubt rotation, with Arteta trying to keep his players fresh - but credit to him, with his substitution coming at the perfect time.
The Arsenal boss struck while the iron was hot, taking off Jorginho, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus straight after Havertz's goal. Having such quality to bring off the bench is the sign of a side equipped to challenge at the top of the table and this sort of battling performance will encourage Arteta of their credentials.
Saints show signs of life
Southampton were absolutely woeful at Bournemouth on Monday and this fixture must have struck fear into the hearts of their fans. Martin made four changes to the side and was rewarded by a much more coherent and impressive performance.
Jan Bednarek and Taylor Harwood-Bellis were solid in the centre of defence, and had they taken their chances, they could have left with a point. Fernandes hit the roof of the net from Dibling's deflected cross, Dibling hit the bottom of the post from distance and Armstrong hit the bar from a corner.
Saints are still without a win in the Premier League this season - and have now gone 20 matches in the top flight without tasting victory when the final results of the 2022/23 relegation campaign are factored in - but they are not down and out yet.
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