Arsenal 3-1 Southampton: Depleted Gunners survive scare to blow Saints away with superb second-half showing thanks to Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka strikes

Conceding a goal can cause a multitude of reactions. Panic, indifference or revenge are some of them. For Arsenal, substitute Cameron Archer’s strike was a punch in the nose as the Gunners woke up to put Southampton aside.

However, it helps to have a player like Bukayo Saka at your side. He picked up his cape and sprang into action, providing two assists and also scoring a goal, in a superhero display, beating the brave Saints.

That’s now seven assists in seven Premier League games – the most by any player in Europe’s top five leagues. Incredible.

After 58 minutes, Saka dispossessed Flynn Downes to play through Kai Havertz; he smashed the ball past Aaron Ramsdale just inside the penalty area and cleared the left post on the way in.

That leveled the match and ten minutes later Saka provided an excellent curling left-footed cross that went over the visitors’ back line. Gabriel Martinelli crawled to the back post and finished from close range.

Saka wasn’t done there yet and took advantage of Yukinari Sugarwara’s heavy hit to score a goal for himself. A complete achievement.

Mikel Arteta showered praise on his winger after a 16th straight match unbeaten run in all competitions – the longest run in the Spaniard’s tenure.

He said: ‘He has the ability to change and decide games, like many other players. If we want to be at the top, sometimes players have to create those moments and he certainly did that again today.

“It’s another step in what he wants. Especially when he does it at home, in big games, in less big games, when the team needs him. That is what defines a top player.

“What he’s doing at his age is incredible.”

Russell Martin’s job is undoubtedly under pressure – the Saints are yet to record a league win this season – although this performance was promising.

They were persistent, especially in the first half, as they hammered away corner after corner, with Aaron Ramsdale coming out to palm the ball away regardless of its proximity.

Those years at Arsenal had provided him with a blueprint to thwart their set plans. It worked. The Gunners even tried a short corner on 32 minutes in an attempt to turn things around.

When Archer’s goal came, wrong-footing William Saliba – that’s a rare moment – ​​and past David Raya after 55 minutes, it was a pinnacle of defiance.

They had tried so hard to get something out of this match, but Saka was unstoppable.

“I’m very proud of the team in many ways,” Martin said.

‘The willingness to defend and fight was there in large numbers today. I feel like they’ve grown since Monday. The same frustration is conceding goals that aren’t good enough to concede against a brilliant team.’

Jurrien Timber and Ben White were left out of the Arsenal squad due to injury, but there was a boost for the Gunners with the return of Takehiro Tomiyasu to the squad.

The defender has yet to play this season due to a knee injury, which has necessitated his inclusion in a group of unavailable full-backs at Arsenal.

So much so that Thomas Partey came in as right-back. It’s a position that’s far from his best, even if he’s played there on occasion – and played well today, staying disciplined in his position.

Jorginho almost put the north London club ahead, using his chest to bring the ball down and crack it just wide of the left post, before Partey’s strike was parried by Ramsdale on the stroke of half-time.

On the restart, Southampton’s Tyler Dibling got the better of Riccardo Calafiori on the wing, and his cross met Mateus Fernandes. He just shined the ball over the net.

Their confidence grew – and shortly afterwards they took the lead, thanks to Archer’s attack.

That had clearly woken up the Gunners; the goal was deserved. Just three minutes later, Havertz was on the scoresheet, and the home side were soon in action thanks to Saka’s heroics.