Highlights: Arsenal stage comeback to defeat Southampton in a thrilling match

The Saints surprised everyone by taking the lead in north London with a goal from Cameron Archer, but Havertz managed to equalize just before the hour mark.

It was Saka who provided the assist for that goal – and he made it two when he set up Martinelli in the 68th minute to turn things around.

Saka then got on the scoresheet himself with just two minutes of normal time left to wrap up a superb individual performance for the England international winger.

The result means Arsenal are third in the table on 17 points, behind leaders Liverpool and second-placed Manchester City, who beat Crystal Palace and Fulham respectively.

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4h ago

GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 Southampton

4h ago

GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Southampton

4h ago

GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Southampton

4h ago

GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Southampton

6h ago

Team news confirmedSort:Newest firstOldest first October 5, 2024 7:45 pm That’s all from us Liam Grace

Here’s what Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said after the game…

Mikel Arteta names two Arsenal stars who have ‘taken another step’ up after Southampton win October 5, 2024 4:58 pm Full time: Arsenal 3-1 Southampton Liam Grace

Job done for Mikel Arteta’s men. The scoreline suggets it was an easier afternoon that it was, with the Gunners really made to work for the three points today.

It was the Saints who took the lead at the Emirates but the north Londoners turned it around thanks to goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.

October 5, 2024 4:49 pm GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 Southampton Liam Grace

SURELY ALL OVER! Bukayo Saka makes it 3-1 in the 88th minute.

Southampton’s Yukinari Sugawara makes a costly error and it allows the England international to slot home and wrap up the victory.

BUKAYOOOOOOOO! 😍

IT’S NOW 3-1 TO THE ARSENAL!

🔴 3-1 🟡 (89) pic.twitter.com/Fbt3AzKQpX

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 5, 2024 October 5, 2024 4:45 pm GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 Southampton Liam Grace

SURELY ALL OVER.

October 5, 2024 4:45 pm Tomiyasu replaces Partey Liam Grace

Thomas Partey has put in a decent shift at right-back today! He’s just come off for Takehiro Tomiyasu, though, who makes his first appearance of the season after overcoming injury problems.

October 5, 2024 4:41 pm Havertz fires into the side-netting Liam Grace

Kai Havertz, looking for his second goal of the match, which would surely secure three points, has just seen his shot fire into the side-netting.

Arsenal still lead 2-1. Seven minutes of normal time to play.

October 5, 2024 4:39 pm Southampton close to equaliser! Liam Grace

Sorry Arsenal fans, I’ve cursed you there. Just as I was saying Arsenal looked in control… there’s a big chance for Southampton.

Tyler Dibling has just hit the woodwork… it’s not over yet!

October 5, 2024 4:27 pm Arsenal look in control Liam Grace

It’s fair to say those substitutions from Mikel Arteta have changed the game. Arsenal look in control now and seeking a third. The Saints seem tired.

Bukayo Saka just forced a save out of Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsadale.

October 5, 2024 4:27 pm GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Southampton Liam Grace

ARSENAL HAVE TURNED IT AROUND!

Or have they? We’re set for a VAR check here… and it looks very tight. There’s a chance that goalscorer Gabriel Martinelli was just ahead of the last man.

GOAL GIVEN! There’s millimetres in it… but the goal is allowed to stand and Arsenal take the lead in the 69th minute. The Brazilian has only just come on!

WHAT A FINISH! 🙌

SAKA WITH THE DELIVERY AND MARTINELLI POKES IT HOME 🤩

🔴 2-1 🟡 (68) pic.twitter.com/kUsgmgvHDE

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 5, 2024 October 5, 2024 4:23 pm Arsenal make triple substitution Liam Grace

Mikel Arteta decided to bring off Jorginho, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus in the 61st minute.

Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli and and Leandro Trossard all come on.

1-1 here with around 25 minutes of normal time remaining…

October 5, 2024 4:17 pm GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Southampton Liam Grace

ARSENAL ARE LEVEL!

Kai Havertz makes it 1-1. Southampton’s lead lasted just three minutes!

Really good finish from the Germany international off the left-hand post.

WE’RE LEVEL! 👊

Kai Havertz with a brilliant finish to get us back in the game!

🔴 1-1 🟡 (58) pic.twitter.com/0ObRpgdMRI

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 5, 2024 October 5, 2024 4:13 pm GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Southampton Liam Grace

SOUTHAMPTON TAKE THE LEAD!

The Emirates falls into a dramatic silence but the away section is going crazy as Southampton – who haven’t won a game this season – take the lead in the 55th minute thanks to Cameron Archer.

That wasn’t in the script for the Gunners…

Goal for Southampton – scored by Archer.

🔴 0-1 🟡 (55)

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 5, 2024 October 5, 2024 4:12 pm Early chances for both sides Liam Grace

Gabriel Jesus curls an effort just wide before Tyler Dibling easily goes past Riccardo Calafiori, with his deflected cross poked narrowly over by Saints star Mateus Fernandes.

Southampton nearly took a shock lead there!

October 5, 2024 4:05 pm Back underway Liam Grace

The second half has started in north London. Arsenal still looking for that opening goal…

October 5, 2024 3:53 pm Half time: Arsenal 0-0 Southampton Liam Grace

Level at the break. Let’s keep pushing, Gunners! pic.twitter.com/LqQeh8YPBT

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 5, 2024 October 5, 2024 3:50 pm Arsenal unable to break the deadlock so far Liam Grace

It’s 0-0 at half-time. Arsenal started the match so brightly, and it felt like it was only a matter of time before they took the lead.

Southampton, though, grew into the game, and have frustrated the home side with some impressive defending.

Massive second half coming up… Don’t go anywhere!

October 5, 2024 3:50 pm Chances for Partey and Jesus! Liam Grace

Thomas Partey tests his former teammate Aaron Ramsdale from the edge of the area, with Gabriel Jesus then denied on the follow-up. Still 0-0.

October 5, 2024 3:45 pm Jorginho’s shot goes just wide Liam Grace

Jorginho just went close – with his shot from Bukayo Saka’s half-cleared delivery going narrowly wide of Aaron Ramsdale’s far post.

There has been some frustrations in the home crowd that Arsenal are struggling to break down the Southampton defence.

Meanwhile, Saints’ Tyler Dibling has been shown the third yellow card of the match.

October 5, 2024 3:37 pm Second Southampton star booked Liam Grace

Make that two yellow cards for Southampton… Jan Bednarek has been booked for pulling back Kai Havertz.

It’s still 0-0 here. Arsenal enjoyed a quick start, but things have slowed down.

October 5, 2024 3:34 pm Man City back level Liam Grace

Fulham’s lead against Arsenal’s Premier League title rivals Manchester City did not last long.

It’s already 1-1 at the Etihad with Mateo Kovacic levelling things up for Pep Guardiola’s side.

October 5, 2024 3:32 pm Early change for Southampton Liam Grace

The Saints have been forced into an early first-half substitution with Ross Stewart picking up an injury and being replaced by Cameron Archer.

October 5, 2024 3:28 pm Manchester City fall behind Liam Grace

Big goal over at the Etihad…

Arsenal’s Premier League title rivals Manchester City have just gone 1-0 down at home to Fulham!

26. Pereira gives Fulham the lead.

🩵 0-1 ⚪️ #ManCity

— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 5, 2024 October 5, 2024 3:25 pm Southampton test David Raya Liam Grace

Southampton test David Raya with a tame shot straight at him from Kyle Walker-Peters.

Walker-Peters has also just been booked – the first yellow card of the game – for a clumsy late challenge on Bukayo Saka.

24 minutes in. Still 0-0. Arsenal still on top, but the Saints are looking a little more settled.

October 5, 2024 3:19 pm Busy afternoon for Ramsdale Liam Grace

Former Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale looks set for a very busy afternoon indeed… It’s been all Arsenal so far, just waiting for a goal.

October 5, 2024 3:11 pm Arsenal well on top Liam Grace

This is very much men against boys so far…

Arsenal are dominating the possession and chances inside the opening 15 minutes in north London.

October 5, 2024 3:11 pm Arsenal denied a penalty Liam Grace

Raheem Sterling has just gone down inside the Southampton box – but it’s no penalty. There was minor contact, but he just lost his balance.

‘It looks a penalty in real-time but not when you see it back,’ former Premier League referee Mike Dean said on .

October 5, 2024 3:05 pm We’re underway! Liam Grace

The action is underway at the Emirates – Arsenal in their famous red home shirts, Southampton in their yellow away kit.

The Gunners have just had two early chances inside the first five minutes. You feel it won’t be long until they open the scoring here…

October 5, 2024 2:51 pm A first Arsenal Premier League start for Raheem Sterling James Goldman

First Premier League start for The Arsenal ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5JcKqidZDS

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 5, 2024 October 5, 2024 2:37 pm Ramsdale returns James Goldman

Aaron Ramsdale is back at the Emirates this afternoon for the first time since his move to Southampton from Arsenal in the summer.

Speaking ahead of the game he revealed David Raya, the man who took his place in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI, was among the first people to congratulate him upon his move to the Saints.

He said: ‘Why ever someone would then pan to me after someone makes a save or a goal goes in and it pans to me on the bench. I do think the story was bigger than what it needed to be.

‘I think it put pressure on David at times as well. I did an interview with David Seaman after my new contract. I said I wanted to emulate him an be there for eight to 10 years and a couple of months later I was out of the team.

‘I tried my hardest to dislodge David I do think now the rewards are showing. He’s started the season incredibly well. He was actually the first person to text me from Arsenal after my move here.

‘He was great and he was top. Like I say he’s made some big, big saves this season and kept them in some games. Just desperate he doesn’t have one of those games on Saturday.’

October 5, 2024 2:27 pm Liverpool stretch their lead at the top James Goldman

Whatever happens this afternoon, Arsenal won’t be heading into the international break as Premier League leaders.

Liverpool weren’t at their best against Crystal Palace, but Diogo Jota’s early goal was enough to ensure another win for Arne Slot’s men.

Only three points will do for the Gunners this afternoon now.

October 5, 2024 2:11 pm Team news confirmed Liam Grace

Hello and welcome to our live blog for today’s Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton!

Here’s how the two teams line up today…

Arsenal: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Sterling, Jesus.

Southampton: Ramsdale, Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Walker-Peters, Manning, Downes, Aribo, Dibling, Fernandes, Stewart.

🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️

👊 Gabriel at the back
☑️ Sterling’s first PL start
⚡ Jesus leads the line

Let’s take it to the next level, Gunners!

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 5, 2024 Arsenal XI vs Southampton

Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Sterling, Jesus

Where to watch Arsenal vs Southampton? Kick-off time and TV channel

Arsenal vs Southampton kicked off at 3pm on Saturday, October 5.

Given the 3pm kick-off slot, the match was not broadcast live in the UK.