Bukayo Saka backs up Arsenal demand in comeback win over Southampton – 5 talking points

ARSENAL 3-1 SOUTHAMPTON: Bukayo Saka assists two and scores himself as the Gunners come from behind to grab three points against the faltering Saints.

Mikel Arteta’s three substitutions helped Arsenal come from behind to defeat a spirited Southampton team.

The Gunners were frustrated by a well-organised Saints team in the first half, and the visitors took a surprise lead when Cameron Archer struck the bottom corner on the counter-attack. However, their advantage was short-lived, as Kai Havertz tied the game at 1-1 minutes later with a goal inside the post.

Arteta took the initiative, bringing on Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Mikel Merino in the 60th minute, and they quickly reaped the dividends, with an exquisite Bukayo Saka cross for Martinelli to tap in at the back post. Saints came close via Mateus Fernandes, Tyler Dibling, and Adam Armstrong, with the last two hitting the crossbar.

Saka was caged in the first half, but after two assists, he scored in the dying moments when Yukinari Sugawara made a mistake, securing the three points. “I’ve been a runner-up a lot, and this season I want to win,” Saka remarked following the victory over Paris Saint-Germain. He backed up his remarks today. Here are the key points from the Emirates Stadium.

Many players would expect a cold greeting and maybe even booing when returning to a previous club, and while Aaron Ramsdale may not have expected that, he probably did not predict what transpired either. The Southampton goalkeeper, who moved from north London to the south coast for £25 million this summer, was brought to tears by the kind reception he received when warming up on his former pitch.

Ramsdale recently disclosed that he still communicates with Mikel Arteta, who offered him permission to go in search of consistent playing time after losing his spot to David Raya. And after a tumultuous night at Bournemouth on Monday, Ramsdale fared considerably better at Arsenal. The defenders in front of him held strong throughout the first half, despite being hemmed in by set piece after set piece, and his lone notable stop came from Thomas Partey’s low drive.

His team did not finish with any points, but when the game came to a close in the nine extra minutes, Ramsdale was once again praised by the crowd.His team did not finish with any points, but when the game came to a close in the nine extra minutes, Ramsdale was once again praised by the crowd.In American football, defenses frequently double up on their opponents’ top wide receiver or tight end in an attempt to shut them down. Saints manager Russell Martin followed an NFL playbook by playing two left-backs to face Bukayo Saka.

Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Manning did not play in Monday’s 3-1 loss to Bournemouth, but they both started at the Emirates. Manning began ahead of his teammate, who, on paper, is a left-sided midfielder, but they worked together to prevent Saka from cutting inside onto his preferred left foot. It worked well, too, with Saka seeing a lot of the ball but unable to create anything in the first half. That was to change after the interval, when Saka demonstrated that even two markers could not stop him.

Arsenal struck back.Mateus Fernandes unleashed Archer, who sped off, cut inside, and struck the bottom corner in the 55th minute, shocking everyone at the Emirates. Archer celebrated his first Premier League goal for Saints in front of a delighted away crowd, but they didn’t last long.

Southampton avoided shooting themselves in the foot in the first half, with Ramsdale frequently taking a route-one strategy as Arsenal’s push stepped up. However, a careless pass from skipper Flynn Downes was capitalized on, with Saka releasing Havertz, who scored superbly via the inside of the post. Saints’ lead lasted only three minutes.

Subs increase the pace.Many Arsenal fans were perplexed when they saw the squad sheet, which had Partey at right back and Martinelli and Trossard on the bench. The explanation was undoubtedly rotation, with Arteta attempting to keep his players fresh – but credit to him, as his substitute came at the precise time.

The Arsenal manager struck while the iron was hot, removing Jorginho, Raheem Sterling, and Gabriel Jesus immediately after Havertz’ score. Having such quality to bring off the bench indicates a team ready to compete at the top of the league, and this type of battling performance will reassure Arteta of their qualities.

Saints display evidence of life.

Southampton were very terrible at Bournemouth on Monday, and this game must have terrified their fans. Martin made four changes to the side and was rewarded with a far more cohesive and excellent performance.

Jan Bednarek and Taylor Harwood-Bellis were sturdy in the middle of defence, and if they had taken their chances, they may have earned a point. Fernandes scored from Dibling’s deflected cross, Dibling hit the post from a distance, and Armstrong hit the crossbar from a corner kick.

Saints are still without a Premier League win this season, and have gone 20 matches in the top division without a win when the final results of the 2022/23 relegation campaign are taken into account, but they are not out of the picture.