Teamtalk
Goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel saw Arsenal take all three points from a battling Southampton side at the Emirates.
Lacazette and Odegaard bagged in the first 45 minutes despite Saints playing a full part in proceedings. Gabriel put the gloss on the performance after the break as Mikel Arteta’s side turned on the style to win 3-0. Southampton carved out a few chances as the match wore on but could not find a way through.
Arteta named an unchanged team from the one that lost 2-1 to Everton on Monday evening. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was not even named in the squad after an alleged bust-up in training.
Arteta admitted he had been left out for a “a disciplinary breach”. Lacazette captained the side while Emile Smith-Rowe was back on the bench after missing the Toffees reverse.
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl made five changes from the side that drew with Brighton. New signing Willy Caballero started in goal while Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek, Adam Armstrong and Ibrahima Diallo all returned.
Arsenal had lost three of their last four league games and were looking for a fast start. But it was Saints who bossed the early proceedings, with two chances in quick succession.
Adam Armstrong’s effort was deflected over before Nathan Tella tested Aaron Ramsdale with a weak effort. The away side continued to dominate possession, with the Gunners content to counter-attack.
Lacazette settles the nerves
But they took the lead on 21 minutes with a sublime goal by Lacazette. A sweeping move involving 16 passes that began with Ramsdale and included Buakyo Saka’s driving run, ended as the Frenchman chipped Caballero from inside the box.
And just six minutes later, the hosts were 2-0 up thanks to Odegaard’s third goal in as many games. There was an air of frustration at the Emirates at Arsenal’s early display but that lifted…
