Player Ratings: Arsenal 3-1 Southampton 

Arsenal ease past Saints with goals from Kai Havertz, Gabi Martinelli and Buakyo Saka 

Find out who impressed with our Player Ratings

David Raya: 7/10 - Jorgingho was the England midfielder’s partner ahead of the backline, as Partey moved to right-back. Fired narrowly wide before half time 

Thomas Partey: 7.5/10 - Slotted in at right back after a splendid run of form as Declan Rice’s midfielder partner in Martin Odegaard’s absence. Forced a save from the returning Ramsdale before the interval  

William Saliba: 7/10- On top of all his other attributes the world class French centre-back has a super touch and technique, with the crowd talking great delight when he sent Saints No18 tumbling through his trickery

Gabriel: 7/10 - 

Riccardo Calafiori: 6.5/10 - A muscular presence, but has to be careful in more ways than one when opposition forwards ghost past the Italian defender.

Jorginho: 6.5/10 - Solid and reliable even if his legs are not as fast as we would all prefer them to be

Declan Rice: 7/10 - Magisterial  

Bukayo Saka: 8/10 - Lively and never stopped striving to get in behind the Saints obdurate backline. Deserved his late strike to make it 60 Arsenal goals - and to think the wide attacker only turned 23 years old last month

Kai Havertz: 7.5/10 - Levelled at a crucial time in the match, to make it seven home games in a row the attacker has now scored in. Led the line well 

Gabriel Jesus: 6/10 - Opened up his body to attempt a low curling shot moments after the interval but Jesus is not King Henry alas, and the ball failed to swerve into the net. Replaced by Trossard on the hour mark

Raheem Sterling: 7/10 - First start of the season, in place of Gabi Martinelli on the left flank, presumably to give the Brazil attacker a breather, while also handing valuable game time to the 29-year-old Chelsea loanee. Substituted midway through the second half after a promising display 

Substitutes:

Gabi Martinelli: 8/10 - Swapped for Sterling on the hour mark and squeezed home the ball shortly afterwards to put the Gunners 2-1 after a lengthy VAR check. Looked lively throughout

Leandro Trossard: 7.5/10 - Switched for Jesus. Driving run led to Saka's strike

Mikel Merino: 7/10 - Came on for Jorginho on 61 minutes

Takehiro Tomiyasu: 7/10 - Made a welcone return in red and white after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury 

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gives his team a spot of tactical instruction during a quick break in play here at the Emirates pic.twitter.com/KOEzWK0PnB

— Layth (@laythy29) October 5, 2024