Arsenal secured a 3-1 victory over Southampton at the Emirates Stadium, but the scoreline doesn’t fully capture the challenges Mikel Arteta’s side faced against the struggling Saints.
Despite being 19th in the Premier League and winless in six matches, Southampton tested the Gunners throughout the game. Young prospect Tyler Dibling nearly set up a goal after weaving past defenders and crossing to Mateus Fernandes, who narrowly missed the target.
The visitors took a surprise lead in the 55th minute, when Cameron Archer finished a swift counterattack with a well-placed shot into the bottom left corner of David Raya’s net. It was a clinical strike that showcased Southampton’s attacking threat.
Despite Southampton’s resilience, Arsenal found their way back into the match. Just three minutes after falling behind, Kai Havertz equalized with a stunning strike, scoring for the seventh consecutive home game. Ten minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli put the Gunners ahead, slotting the ball past former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. VAR confirmed the goal, giving Arsenal a crucial 2-1 advantage.
In the closing moments, Bukayo Saka sealed the victory, scoring from close range to make it 3-1.
