The Gunners fought back from a goal behind to ensure they entered the international break within striking distance of league leaders Liverpool
Bukayo Saka scored one and set up the other two as Arsenal survived a scare against lowly Southampton, fighting back from a goal behind to claim a 3-1 win and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Despite a fast start, Arsenal were unable to break the visitors down in the first half and a shock looked on the cards early in the second when Cameron Archer fired the away side in front.
But Kai Havertz levelled things up quickly, thumping in an excellent finish which saw him equal Robin van Persie’s record of scoring in seven successive games at Emirates Stadium.
Saka, who set up the German for the equaliser, then produced a wonderful cross for substitute Gabriel Martinelli to volley in at the back post on 68 minutes.
And the England international put the gloss on another wonderful performance late on when he fizzed a low finish beyond Aaron Ramsdale to seal all three points for Mikel Arteta’s side.
GOAL rates Arsenal’s players from Emirates Stadium…
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Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (6/10):
Could do nothing about the goal. Didn’t have much else to do in terms of shots on target.
Thomas Partey (7/10):
Asked to fill in at right-back and did nothing wrong. Moved the ball well and was always involved. Had one shot deflected just wide in the second half.
William Saliba (6/10):
Could have maybe closed down Archer a bit quicker to stop him getting the shot away for his goal.
Gabriel Magalhaes (6/10):
Didn’t have much to do defensively, but what he had to do he did well. The powerful Onuachu gave him something to think about late on.
Riccardo Calafiori (6/10):
A typical all-action display from the Italian, who was popping up all over the pitch. Beaten a couple of times defensively, though.
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Midfield
Jorginho (6/10):
Played one lovely pass to create a chance for Havertz. Looked as likely as anyone to cut the Southampton defence open in the first half.
Declan Rice (7/10):
Made some good runs into the box to try and get behind the packed Southampton defence. Didn’t stop running right up to the final seconds.
Kai Havertz (8/10):
Floated all around the pitch and Southampton struggled to pick him up at times. Linked up well with Saka. His superb finish in the second half sparked Arsenal’s fightback. He was excellent again.
AFPAttack
Bukayo Saka (9/10):
Two more assists, the second of which – for Martinelli – was superb. Then scored the third himself with a deadly finish on his right foot. So consistent. Just always delivers.
Gabriel Jesus (5/10):
Handed a rare start in the Premier League but struggled to impress. Looks a player desperately searching for form and confidence.
Raheem Sterling (5/10):
Close to breaking the deadlock with a curled effort that was blocked late on in the first half. Other than that he just couldn’t get into the game. Replaced in the second half.
AFPSubs & Manager
Gabriel Martinelli (8/10):
Great finish at the back post to make it 2-1 and ensure it was back-to-back goals in the Premier League. Injected real energy when it was needed.
Leandro Trossard (7/10):
Immediately added some extra quality to the attack with his touch and movement.
Mikel Merino (6/10):
Decent runout from the Spaniard as he looks to get up to full match fitness.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (N/A):
On for the last few minutes.
Jakub Kiwior (N/A):
On for the final seconds.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
Made some unexpected changes to the line-up in attack and it didn’t really work. Did, however, make three relatively early changes in the second half that helped turned things round.
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