Gunners survive Saints scare to come from behind for 3-1 win at the Emirates

Arsenal 3 (Havertz 58, Martinelli 68, Saka 88)

Southampton 1 (Archer 55)

Given the regularity with which this Southampton side have already been written off by pundits as certs for an immediate return to the Championship, many would have been thinking this was quite probably Arsenal's easiest game of the whole season.

But one of the many reasons millions around the world tune in to the Premier League each weekend is for the very fact that nothing is for certain in England's top flight. And football, as they tell us, is not played on paper.

Indeed it was not until two minutes before the end of the 90 that the Arsenal fans could relax, when Bukayo Saka completed this comeback win, scoring the third Gunners goal.

As was to be expected, Arsenal dominated possession early on, winning a succession of corners in the opening stages - Aaron Ramsdale, maybe with a bit of insider knowledge, managing to claw a couple to safety, Kai Havertz heading another over the crossbar.

Kyle Walker-Peters had Southampton's first shot on target after 15 minutes, an effort which was comfortably held by David Raya.

Arsenal were finding things rather frustrating, and a set piece looked to be the most likely route to goal for the home side, who looked decidedly void of creativity in the first period.

They did fashion a chance five minutes before the break when Jorginho was able to bring the ball down just outside the box. His shot beat Ramsdale but flew wide of the left-hand post.

Raheem Sterling then broke away for the Gunners, seeing a shot blocked, before Thomas Partey, playing at right-back today, forced a save from Ramsdale.

Mikel Arteta would have been within his rights to have give his players a bit of a rollocking at half-time, but it was Saints who started the second period on the front foot.

Tyler Dibling, a thorn in the Gunners' side in the second half, got the better of Riccardo Calafiori down the Southampton right. His cross was deflected by Gabriel towards Mateus Fernandes, but Fernandes' shot was high.

However Saints were not to be denied and they took the lead soon after.

Sterling was caught in possession, Fernandes set Cameron Archer free down the left and as the Emirates fell silent, Archer cut inside William Saliba and curled a shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

But Southampton were not in front for long - three minutes, in fact. Saka caught their defence in possession and set free Havertz, who slipped his marker and shot past Ramsdale for the equaliser.

Arsenal were energised. Gabriel Jesus found himself in space down the left a minute later, but the move came to nothing - before Arteta made a triple substitution, bringing on Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino for Jesus, Jorginho and Sterling.

And the changes worked for the Spaniard - Martinelli turning home a volley at the far post from Saka's cross from the right just minutes later.

Arsenal went for the kill, Saka drawing a fine save from Ramsdale at the near post.

But Southampton were not done. Dibling again eased past Rice and Merino, before curling a shot just wide. Then Taylor Harwood-Bellis headed a corner on to the crossbar.

But Saka pounced on some sloppy Saints defending on 88 minutes, and slotted home for the win - and three vital points for the home side heading into next week's international break.

Teams:

Arsenal: Raya, Saliba, Partey (Tomiyasu 85), Gabriel, Saka, Jesus (Trossard), Jorginho (Merino 60), Havertz, Sterling (Martinelli 60), Calafiori Kiwior 89), Rice

Southampton: Ramsdale, Walker-Peters, Manning (Onuachu 74), Downes, Harwood-Bellis, Aribo, Stewart (Archer 27), Sugawara (Taylor 89), Fernandes (Armstrong 74), Dibling, Bednarek

Referee: Tony Harrington

Picture: Charlie Stong