Published: 15 September 2012

by RICHARD OSLEY at the Emirates Stadium

Premier League

Arsenal 6 Southampton 1

ARSENAL'S immaculate run of clean sheets at the start of the season was wiped out by Southampton, but a goalkeeping mishap by Wojciech Szczesny was not going to ruin their free-scoring Saturday afternoon.

They scored six of their own against the Premiership new boys and played with a spirit that suggested better things are to come for a reconstructed team based around the passing play-making of Santi Cazorla.

Almost a month after their last home match, Arsenal offered none of the nervous, ineffective prodding going forward which blunted their attempts to beat Sunderland on the opening day of the season.

Instead, with surprise choice Gervinho leading the line, they were flush with ideas and attacking options. The Ivorian has never really impressed the home fans at Ashburton Grove but Arsene Wenger has remained faithful to him and he actually had a very bright pre-season.

Here he netted twice and might have been disappointed he was substituted before collecting a hat-trick. Surely he must be earmarked for a prime role against Montpellier in the Gunners' Champions League date in France on Tuesday. Olivier Giroud may have to wait longer for a long run up front.

Arsenal were already ahead before Gervinho scored, courtesy of an own goal of slapstick proportions. Lukas Podolski freed Kieran Gibbs, who battered the ball as hard as he could at Saints keeper Kelvin Davis. Davis saved but hapless defender Jos Hooiveld bundled it over the line anyway. Gibbs celebrated like he'd scored a stunner, but the culprit could not hide. Hooiveld was later withdrawn injured after half an hour of chasing tails.

Podolski himself scored the second, hammering in a 25 yard free kick, it had to be said in the style of Robin Van Persie.

And then Gervinho added his name to scoresheet on 35 minutes. Released by Mikel Arteta, he beetled towards goal and thrashed it past Davis as if he is always this clinical.

Nathaniel Clyne scored own goal number two for 4-0: Gibbs swung in a cross hopefully, the ball bouncing off Clyne to leave Davis stranded.

Then came Szczesny's mistake. He dropped a simple cross into the path of Danny Fox, who probably couldn't believe his luck as he stroked home an easy chance. The keeper had lost concentration after a half in which he had been a virtual spectator. Five goals – and all this before half time.

The second half was a canter. Rickie Lambert did have a clear sight on goal for Southampton but steered his shot wide.

Arsenal, however, were in for few frights – and no repeat of the day they famously surrendered a 4-0 lead at Newcastle two seasons ago.

Sub Aaron Ramsey almost scored the best goal of the game, twisting and turning on the edge of the box before curling a shot goalwards. It hit the post but who was there to finish it? The brilliant Gervinho. He won't have an easier strike all season but it was rich reward for his enthusiastic performance.

Another sub Theo Walcott, back in action after a virus and controversial contract negotiations, claimed an opportunist strike in the final seconds. Amid the celebrations, those who complained by the lack of imports on transfer deadline day could not be heard

ARSENAL: Szcesny, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Coquelin (Ramsey 67), Arteta, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski (Giroud 75), Gervinho (Walcott 74).
Man of the match: Gervinho
Attendance: 60,097