Premier League

SOUTHAMPTON 1 (Armstrong 3)
ARSENAL 3 (Pepe 8, Saka 39, Lacazette 72)

ARSENAL’S Premier League resurgence continued this evening (Tuesday) as they came from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 at St Mary’s.

The Gunners got off to the worst possible start when Stuart Armstrong fired the Saints ahead within minutes of the kick off. But goals from Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette turned the match around to stretch Arsenal’s unbeaten league run to six games.

Mikel Arteta was heavily criticised after fielding a weaker side when these two sides met in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

It proved a costly decision as Southampton made the most of their home advantage to seal a 1-0 win and send the cup holders crashing out of the competition.

Arteta, however, may well feel the gamble paid off after watching his side continue their league revival – the north Londoners having now taken 16 points from a possible 18 since Boxing Day.

“Today we started on the front foot and it was completely different to the cup defeat at the weekend,” said the Arsenal boss.

“We controlled the game much more, even though we know Southampton have great quality and they counter well. It was a better performance.”

Trying to explain why Arsenal’s fortunes have changed, Arteta added: “It is small margins. The confidence of the players is growing. We’re on a great run, and the team is doing well.

“We are working hard in training and then we are doing it in games, so the process is more natural. Everyone is fighting for their place and helping the team and this is the Arsenal way.”

It looked like it was going to be another one of those days in the opening seconds when Lacazette missed a glorious chance to give the Gunners the lead, losing his one-on-one battle with Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

Things looked even worse minutes later when Armstrong added the finish touches to a clever James Ward-Prowse corner to put the Saints ahead.

But their lead lasted just five minutes as Pepe supplied the finishing touches that Granit Xhaka’s through ball deserved to make it 1-1 after just eight minutes.

The comeback was completed just before the break, albeit with a little help from McCarthy. Saka raced through on goal, and as McCarthy darted off his line, the England winger simply danced around him and turned the ball into an empty net.

Any Arsenal nerves were eased midway through the second half when former Saints defender Cedric Soares played a fine crossfield ball to Saka, who played a first-time ball across the face of goal where Lacazette was waiting to tap home.

After picking up yet another man-of-the-match award Saka was in little doubt that the Gunners “got the win we deserved”. He added: “I am happy to be playing for Arsenal. I have the passion on the pitch and the boss gives me the freedom.

“The Premier League is changing rapidly this season. We have to focus on each game and try to win.”

Southampton: McCarthy, Valery, Stephens, Bednarek, Vokins (Redmond, 67), Armstrong, Diallo, Ward-Prowse, Walcott (N’Lundulu, 74), Adams, Ings (Watts, 74)
Substitutes not used: Forster, Long, Ramsay, Ferry, Jankewitz, Chauke

Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Cedric, Partey (Elneny, 78), Xhaka, Smith Rowe (Willian, 72), Saka, Pepe (Willock, 90+2), Lacazette
Substitutes not used: Ryan, Gabriel, Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Nketiah, Martinelli