Arsenal hit back to see off Southampton and keep the pace at the top

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli struck in 10 second-half minutes as Arsenal came from a goal down to secure a 3-1 win against Southampton.

In the week that Bukayo Saka said he expected this season to be the one that Arsenal would beat Manchester City to the Premier League title, Mikel Arteta's men were staring down the barrel of a shock defeat after Cameron Archer fired Southampton into the lead.

But Havertz hauled the Gunners level just three minutes later, with substitute Martinelli adding a second for the hosts after 68 minutes.

Southampton almost hit back – striking David Raya’s woodwork twice in one minute – but Saka made sure of the points with two minutes remaining on another pivotal afternoon in north London. The Gunners remain level on points with rivals’ City, and one shy of leaders’ Liverpool.

Four days after their statement victory against Paris St Germain, Arsenal were back at the Emirates to face a side which had taken just one point from their opening six matches.

Aaron Ramsdale, who appeared 78 times in the Premier League for the Gunners, made his Emirates return – and the Saints stopper breathed a sigh of relief after just seven minutes when his sloppy clearance was pounced on by his former employers.

The ball fell to Declan Rice, who played in Gabriel Jesus. On his first Premier League start in an Arsenal shirt, Raheem Sterling was in the box and looking to pull the trigger but he was unable to get a shot away.

Arsenal were enjoying plenty of possession, but it was the visitors who registered the first shot on target.

Saka’s clearing header fell only to Kyle Walker-Peters. The defender’s shot, however, was straight down Raya’s throat.

Arsenal had to wait until first-half injury time to record their opening