2024-10-05 23:00:03
Arsenal take on Southampton in the Premier League as they look to stay on track and remain in the title hunt.
Mikel Arteta’s side have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season, with four wins and two draws from their opening six matches, which should stand them in good stead ahead of the visit of a side they have never lost to in north London in 24 games.
Aaron Ramsdale will return to the Emirates for the first time since leaving the club in the summer and recently explained why he departed from north London to play for a club who could be threatened with relegation.
Arsenal go into the game on a 15-game unbeaten run, and Kai Havertz is one who will be looking to thrive after scoring his fifth goal in nine games on Tuesday during the club’s 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Follow all the latest updates in the blog below
Arsenal vs Southampton kicks off at 3pm BST
Arsenal XI: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Sterling, Jesus.
Southampton XI: Ramsdale, Suguwara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Walker-Peters, Downes, Manning, Aribo, Fernandes, Stewart, Dibling.
GOAL! Cameron Archer breaks deadlock! – ARS 0-1 SOU [54’]
GOAL! Havertz strikes for Gunners! – ARS 1-1 SOU [58’]
GOAL! Martinelli scores! – ARS 2-1 SOU [68’]
GOAL! Saka adds third! – ARS 3-0 SOU [88’]
Arsenal FC 3 – 1 Southampton FC
17:04
Arsenal close Liverpool’s four-point gap at the top of the Premier League table to just the one, with a solid 3-1 win at home to a determined, yet ineffective, Southampton. After a tense first half where the Saints defended resolutely, the second period saw the game really open up. Despite Arsenal pressure, the visitors stunned the Emirates to open the scoring ten minutes in. Sterling was dispossessed by Fernandes and Southampton countered brilliantly to see Archer move inwards from the left and strike low. The away end showed ecstatic scenes of carnage, yet they’d be muted three minutes later as Havertz rifled home from the the edge of the box. While Martin’s side stayed competitive, Arsenal snatched the lead in the 68th minute as Saka supplied a brilliant cross for Martinelli. Then, Saka grabbed the insurance goal in the 88th minute to confirm their 400th home win in the Premier League. The 3-1 score wasn’t necessarily reflective of the game, yet Arsenal prevail nonetheless and outperformed their 2.36 xG. Southampton also exceeded their xG with 0.60. Thanks for joining us today, goodbye!
17:04
FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 3-1 SOUTHAMPTON
16:59
Arsenal break with Trossard, yet the Belgian overcooks his pass for Martinelli. The Brazilian offers up a lazy toe-poke from a tight angle on the left and Ramsdale saves well.
16:59
It doesn’t look like Arsenal will have a set-piece goal today. Rice takes a corner from the left and Gabriel heads over.
16:54
Even in the final exchanges here, Arsenal’s rotated players are really looking to force the issue. Southampton must be exhausted.
16:52
Saka takes the corner from the right and Ramsdale is flapping at it. It gets lost in the tangle of bodies before being cleared.
16:51
Havertz wins the Gunners a late corner, playing it off a pressing Taylor. It’s not really been a 3-1 game here, yet Arsenal look in the mood for more.
16:50
Substitution Riccardo Calafiori Jakub Piotr Kiwior
16:49
Substitution Yukinari Sugawara Charles James Taylor
16:47
Goal Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka
16:46
Walker-Peters has landed awkwardly after challenging for the ball in the air with Saka. There’s no malicious intent there, but play is halted with the wing-back needing treatment. It doesn’t look likely that he’ll continue.
16:43
Substitution Thomas Teye Partey Takehiro Tomiyasu
16:43
Rice tackles Onuachu with great power and great effect and the break can move forward. Havertz and Saka buzz about, yet Southampton are desperate to block. Rice then has an effort blocked too.
16:41
Although the Gunners are leading, this game is still so close. An insurance goal would really help Arsenal’s cause and ease a lot of stress in North London.
16:40
Havertz ends an Arsenal break, yet sees his lashing effofrt fly into the side-netting from the right side.
16:39
Well, how bizarre… The corner comes in and Raya punches it straight at Harwood-Bellis, it looks like, and it cannons off the defender and hits the bar! The Spaniard then claims and Arsenal can make a move on the counter.
16:38
Dibling jinks and dances away from Martinelli and Trossard before having a go from range and it’s off the left post from the youngster! It took a slight deflection, so Southampton have a corner on the left.
16:37
54.3% of the action has been in the Southampton third over the last 15 minutes.
16:37
Armstrong crosses for Archer, yet Partey is there before Rice clears.
16:35
Aribo robs Saka in the centre as the winger takes a little too much time on the ball. Arsenal set themselves well though, and look happy to drop off for now.
16:32
Substitution Ryan Phelim Manning Ebere Paul Onuachu
16:32
Substitution Mateus Gonçalo Espanha Fernandes Adam James Armstrong
16:32
Martinelli has now scored two goals in six appearances in the Premier League against Southampton. Plus, he’s contributed to goals in his last three games in the Premier League (two goals, two assists).
16:31
VAR have had a long look at the goal after doubt about Martinelli’s onside status. However, it’s confirmed to be a goal with a great roar around the ground.
16:27
Assist Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka
16:27
Martinelli crosses from the left and Southampton clear. Saka keeps it alive and he floats one over too, yet Merino fouls Aribo in the centre and the Saints get some brief repreive. This only lasts for seconds as Southampton fail to build out from the back and the Gunners get a corner on the left. Corner number 11 comes in, it’s flicked on and Havertz can’t get his effort on target.
16:24
The corner comes to nothing, as it flies straight over everyone and out for a goal-kick, yet Arsenal’s pressing is tireless.
16:23
Well, Arsenal tails are up since that goal. Rice has fired over in a frenetic spell, and now, Partey has just fired in a deflected effort off of Bednarek. An Arsenal corner is coming on the right.
16:20
Substitution Jorge Luiz Frello Filho Mikel Merino Zazón
16:20
Substitution Gabriel Fernando de Jesus Leandro Trossard
16:20
Substitution Raheem Shaquille Sterling Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva
16:18
Assist Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka
16:18
Archer has now scored his first goal in the Premier League this season, netting for the first time since 10th February 2024 against Luton Town.
16:14
Assist Mateus Gonçalo Espanha Fernandes
16:13
Aribo and Calafiori collide. It looks like a sore one as it’s knee-to-knee. Both are up gradually, though.
16:12
Rice’s corner comes in, yet Southampton clear again. Raya puts it back in the mixer and Rice keeps it in on the left byline. Arsenal are just looking for that crucial gap in the Saints defence.
16:11
Southampton are just looking to keep the ball here. Sugawara nearly gets caught out as Jesus presses. Arsenal win it back and Sterling forces Harwood-Bellis to recover and give away a corner on the left.
16:10
Fernandes fires over! Dibling causes Calafiori trouble and shrugs the Italian off like nothing. His cross deflects into the path of Fernandes, yet the Portuguese youngster can’t keep it down from inside the area!
16:08
It’s understood that Ross Stewart’s earlier injury was to his calf, rather than quad.
16:06
Jesus goes for a curling strike from outside the box after some direct running from Sterling on the left. Ramsdale, however, watches it fly wide of the right post.
16:05
We’re back under way in North London.
15:57
A giant aspect of Arsenal’s play this afternoon has been their sheer creative ability on the wings. Especially with Saka on the right, there’s been great progress. However, with chances limited to that of the ‘half’ variety, and Southampton’s survival from the Gunners’ trademark set-pieces, Arteta will need to find another dynamic within his team to break the deadlock. So far, the hosts have conjured up an xG of 1.26 while being unsuccessful. Southampton, on the other hand, have often tried to counter while being snuffed out quickly – leaving them with a dismal 0.06 xG.
15:55
It’s goalless at the break in North London as a rather unfancied Southampton have done well to keep a ball-happy Arsenal at bay. While the Gunners’ possession went upwards of 70%, this game still awaits its first goal as Aaron Ramsdale has stood firm against his old side. While Saka and co. have caused trouble for the Saints, as well as three yellow cards, the best opportunities actually came to Jorginho and Thomas Partey. The Italy international sent a powerful half-volley from the edge of the box just wide in the 40th minute after latching onto a Kyle Walker-Peters block. Minutes later, Partey also struck from the edge of the area, however, his low attempt was parried by Ramsdale before it was scrambled away from Raheem Sterling.
15:50
HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 0-0 SOUTHAMPTON
15:49
Bednarek blocks well, yet again, from a Saka corner on the right. Rice has another corner on the left.
15:49
Ramsdale saves from Partey from the edge of the box. The ball out from the parry goes left and the keeper flies out as Sterling pokes wide. He gets a bit of the Southampton stopper on the way through and we have a brief stoppage as he composes himself.
15:47
There will be two minutes of added time.
15:46
Arsenal work the ball inside Southampton’s box well, yet Sterling can only watch as his goal-bound effort was blocked by the head of Bednarek.
15:45
Arsenal have had 67% possession compared to Southampton’s 37%.
15:44
Dibling goes for a great run and eventually gets brought down by a Gabriel bodycheck. Referee Harrington says nothing doing though, in somewhat bizarre fashion. That looked like a clear foul.
15:43
Jorginho goes close! Saka sees a cross from the right blocked by Walker-Peters, yet it bounds out to Jorginho. He’s egged on to shoot by the home faithful obliges, with his powerful right-footed volley whizzing just past the left post.
15:40
Jesus is lamented by the home crowd. He had space and time with Saka open to his right on the counter, yet he didn’t play the ball.
15:39
Yellow Card Tyler-Jay Robert Dibling
15:38
Sterling’s left-sided cross is headed out. Partey then dispossesses Fernandes and with a sloppy pass out to Saka, the Saints’ lapse of awareness is forgiven. Gabriel then blasts over from range.
15:35
Arsenal go short. Rice then fluffs a pass between Jorginho and Saka, and the latter blasts way over. He looks at the turf sheepishly. Wrong club out of the bag there.
15:34
Yellow Card Jan Kacper Bednarek
15:33
The visitors give Arsenal possession in sloppy fashion and it eventually falls to Havertz just inside the box. However, his shot is blocked brilliantly by Walker-Peters and all the pace goes off the ball as it trickles to Ramsdale. Rice then wins a corner on the left off of Sugawara.
15:32
Saka curls the free-kick in, yet Ramsdale calls well and claims.
15:30
Southampton are sitting so deep and making things difficult for the Gunners. However, there’s a free-kick chance now on the right after Bednarek bundles Jesus to the ground from behind.
15:28
Substitution Ross Cameron Stewart Cameron Desmond Archer
15:28
A succession of injuries have already plagued Southampton’s Ross Stewart. He’s down now, and it looks like the right quad is giving him trouble now. He receives treatment, but looks like he’ll be coming off.
15:23
Arsenal have two goes at the corner, yet between Calafiori and Havertz, fouls disrupt the usual set-piece mastery.
15:23
Yellow Card Kyle Leonardus Walker-Peters
15:22
Saka delivers a great corner ball. Ramsdale comes out for it, but isn’t near it. Manning puts it behind for another. Rice will take from the left.
15:21
Downes blocks Saka after Southampton fail to break clear of their own third. Corner kick number four incoming.
15:20
Arsenal are enjoying a comfortable spell on the ball. Saliba has just jinked past Stewart so hard, and so seamlessly, that the Scot ended up in a heap on the floor.
15:19
The visiting side work the ball nicely up the pitch. A cross from the right is headed out and Walker-Peters tries a volley and it’s on target. However, it’s not too challenging for Raya as he catches quite simply.
15:16
Saka has an effort blocked and Southampton can then move out from danger with Fernandes. The counter is halted, yet the Saints keep possession for now.
15:15
Southampton muster a brief foray into Arsenal territory, yet Calafiori shows great composure to bring the ball down and glide away from Stewart in the press. Arsenal come forward once more.
15:14
Rice takes the corner from the left, Ramsdale comes out, and Havertz takes it off the head of Gabriel! Just over.
15:13
Jorginho makes something out of nothing, as he picks out Havertz within the right-central channel. The German takes his time and Southampton can block it behind. Saka then puts in a deep corner that Ramsdale has to tip away for another on the left!
15:12
Well, their early dominance makes Arsenal look likely to continue their fine form at home. In fact, they have won 399 home games in the Premier League, and would be the second side to reach 400 in the competition after Manchester United (428). Meanwhile, only four sides have lost more away games in the Premier League than Southampton (246).
15:10
Saka gets double-teamed and gives away a foul. Manning lost his boot there in the skirmish with the England star.
15:09
Arsenal are unrelenting early here! Rice, Jesus and Sterling work the ball nicely into the box, yet with Bednarek pressing the Chelsea-loanee, he goes over. Harrington gives a goal-kick, though.
15:08
Southampton are living dangerously. Saka crosses low from the right to Jesus at the back post. The Brazilian’s shot is blocked by Bednarek, but questions will be asked about how that ball managed to go through so many in yellow there.
15:07
Saka takes the corner and Gabriel is there to nod down. However, it’s blocked. Then Jesus finds an effort snuffed out. As the pressure continues, Sterling forces his way through and goes down.Yet, it seems that he handled it and a goal or penalty wouldn’t have been given.
15:04
Arteta’s side are just happy to keep the ball, until Saka looks to stretch his legs early. After a ball into the box is contested by Havertz and Jesus, the visiting defence quickly usher it behind for a corner on the right.
15:03
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 28 home league games against Southampton (W19 D9) since a 1-0 loss in November 1987. Only against Fulham (a current run of 31) have they had a longer unbeaten home run in their league history. The Saints’ 24 Premier League away games against Arsenal is the most one side has visited another without ever winning in the competition’s history (D8 L16).
15:03
Southampton start and after an early front-footed approach, an attack down the left looks to test Partey, but Arsenal survive. No early scares here…
15:02
After briefly conferring with the respective captains, and the rousing notes of North London forever, the referee’s coin toss has resulted in the away side getting us under way.
15:01
After the final preparations on the Emirates pitch, the managers are out. Russell Martin jogs to the away section and applauds them. What sort of afternoon are they in for? Well, we’ll soon find out as the players are led out of the tunnel by head official Tony Harrington.
14:53
There are four changes for Southampton following their 3-1 loss to Bournemouth on Monday night. Manager Russell Martin gives starts to Kyle Walker-Peters, Ryan Manning, Joe Aribo and Ross Stewart. Charlie Taylor, Lesley Ugochukwu are on the bench, while Ryan Fraser and Maxwel Cornet are absent.
14:48
Arsenal have made three changes from their last Premier League match, their most from one match to another this season, and Mikel Arteta has named three changes again following the Gunners’ 2-0 victory over Paris St-Germain on Tuesday. Raheem Sterling is handed his first Premier League start since joining on a season-long loan from Chelsea. Jorginho and Gabriel Jesus also come into the side as Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard drop to the bench, while injured defender Jurrien Timber misses out.
14:48
SUBS: Alex McCarthy, Charlie Taylor, James Bree, Adam Lallana, Lesley Ugochukwu, Adam Armstrong, Ben Brereton Diaz, Cameron Archer, Paul Onuachu.
14:48
SOUTHAMPTON (3-4-2-1): Aaron Ramsdale; Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek, Ryan Manning; Yukinari Sugawara, Flynn Downes, Joe Aribo, Kyle Walker-Peters; Tyler Dibling, Mateus Fernandes; Ross Stewart.
14:42
SUBS: Neto, Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.
14:42
ARSENAL (4-3-3): David Raya; Thomas Partey, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calfiori; Kai Havertz, Jorginho, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling.
14:42
Arsenal look to prolong their impressive start to the Premier League season in this clash against Southampton in North London. Currently, the Gunners sit in third place on 14 points, four points behind leaders Liverpool after their earlier 1-0 away win at Crystal Palace. Arsenal won their last Premier League match 4-2 at home against Leicester City, extending their unbeaten season start to six (W4 D2 L0). Southampton’s last Premier League match saw them beaten 3-1 by Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium, extending their winless start to the campaign to six (W0 D1 L5), leaving them in 19th place on one point.
14:37
Hello everyone, and welcome to this live text coverage from matchweek seven of the Premier League as Arsenal host Southampton at the Emirates.
14:30
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
13:56 , Sonia Twigg
Southampton XI: Ramsdale, Suguwara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Walker-Peters, Downes, Manning, Aribo, Fernandes, Stewart, Dibling
13:55 , Sonia Twigg
Arsenal: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Sterling, Jesus.
Subs: Neto, Lewis-Skelly, Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Merino, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Trossard, Butler-Oyedeji.
13:55 , Sonia Twigg
Raheem Sterling has been handed his first Premier League start since joining Arsenal in the summer from local rivals Chelsea.
Jurrien Timber, who limped off against Paris Saint-Germain has not been deemed fit enough to make the matchday squad.
Thomas Partey is expected to fill in at right back, with Ben White not available either. Jorginho will play in midfield and take the captaincy.
Mikel Merino could make his first Premier League appearance after being named among the substitutes.
13:00
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
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