Havertz’s seventh straight home goal helps Arsenal come from behind to beat Southampton | OneFootball

Kai Havertz scored his seventh successive home goal and Gabriel Martinelli his second of the season to save Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal from a shock home defeat by winless Southampton. A third from Bukayo Saka late on flattered them.

It took Russell Martin’s relegation-doomed side taking the lead to inject any urgency into Arsenal’s play. They dominated early on, without creating a shot on target.

Seemingly complacent, Arsenal then settled into a causal passing pattern, camped in the opposition half, that posed little or no threat to a well-organised Southampton defence.

There was a sense of tension among the home supporters as half-time approached – and rightly so.

The match was crying out for some change in personnel from Arteta – his decisions to start with Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling in attack for the first time simply not working.

It was an off-the-pace Sterling who was tackled in possession by the enterprising Mateus Fernandes that led directly to Southampton talking a 55th minute lead. The Portugal midfielder quickly released substitute Cameron Archer, who played his role to perfection with a neat finish past David Raya.

Now we heard the crowd, now we saw Arsenal respond. They were level within three minutes. Saka won the ball back for his side and played an inch-perfect forward pass to Havertz, who wrapped in a left foot shot in off a post from distance.

Arteta had already got his changes lined up as the ball was flying in. On came Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino with half an hour to go. They were in front seven minutes later.

Saka worked some space on the right and crossed to the far post where Martinelli stole in to beat former Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale with a close range tap in.

Southampton still had some belief, though, and twice went close to equalising with Tyler Dibling recording an effort off the Arsenal cross bar.

Arteta sent on fit-again defender Takehiro Tomiyasu for the first time this season to shore things up, but it took an 88th minute goal from Saka to ease all anxiety. Trossard broke clear and lost the ball leaving Saka to pounce and finish off a man of the match performance with a goal.

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