Arsenal 3 Southampton 0 LIVE REACTION: Lacazette, Odegaard and Gabriel goals enough to seal vital three points – updates

THAT’S ALL FOLKS

To the relief of Mikel Arteta and all the Gooners worldwide, Arsenal are back to winning ways after what has been a tough week losing consecutive Premier League fixtures to both Manchester United and Everton.

Plus they didn’t need Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang to do it either.

Southampton came flying out the blocks, forcing Aaron Ramsdale to make a couple of saves in the opening stages of the game.

But after 21 minutes of playing time, Alexandre Lacazette was on hand to guide Bukayo Saka’s cross past 40-year-old Willy Caballero in between the visitors sticks.

Then six minutes later, Martin Odegaard headed in Arsenal’s second and his third in three games settling any nerves amongst the home supporters.

The Saints were down but most certainly weren’t out and had it not been for some tremendous saves by Ramsdale in the second 45, Southampton may have got a goal back.

But when Gabriel leapt up high to direct his header into the back of Caballero’s net only a couple minutes after the Brazilian’s previous effort was ruled out for offside, the three points were well and truly in the bag.

Thank you for tuning in this afternoon and I hope the community enjoys the rest of their weekend!

MATCH REPORT

Make sure to revisit every post in the live blog if you want detailed description of how the game played out.

But if you don't quite have the time because you are getting ready to go out for an evening meal with some friends?

THEN CLICK HERE FOR THE MATCH REPORT

MOTM

For his assured defending in the Arsenal back-line and his eagerness to get a goal at the other end of the pitch despite having one ruled out for offside.

My man of the match goes to Gabriel.

SCHEDULE

There's no time to feel sorry for themselves as Southampton continue their quest of trying to conquer London as four out of their next five matches are against opposition based in the capital.

The Saints travel to Crystal Palace midweek before welcoming Brentford to Saint Mary’s three days later.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men then spend some of their Boxing Day in East London trying to get the better of West Ham before rolling out the red carpet for Spurs on the 28th of December.

And finally, Southampton begin life in 2022 with a clash at home against the richest football club in the world, Newcastle United.

NEXT 5

The Gunners will be taking this confidence booster into their fifth London derby of the season on Wednesday when they welcome an in-form West Ham United to the Emirates.

Arsenal are then penciled in for a couple of Premier League away outings to Leeds United and Norwich City before a home game against Wolves on the 28th of December.

But four days before Christmas, Mikel Arteta’s men go head-to-head with Championship side Sunderland in a Carabao Cup Quarter-final tie which is set to have a bit of edge about it after the Black Cats manager Lee Johnson said: “I’d love to have Arsenal away or Tottenham away and then we'll wait for the really big guns when it's two legs."

LEAGUE TABLE UPDATED

Those three points will mean a lot to the Gunners confidence wise and in context of the table because it means they jump above Spurs whose match has been called off due to Covid-19 issues and Manchester United who are travelling to Carrow Road this evening.

As for the Saints, they weren’t able to open up a bigger gap between themselves and the bottom three.

However, to the delight of Ralph Hasenhuttl, Leeds United and Watford both lost their fixtures today which means that Southampton haven’t lost ground on the teams around them.

But they'll be hoping Crystal Palace slip up tomorrow against Everton too.

MESMORISING MARTIN

Before kick-off, Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard had the horrible statistic of being one game away from becoming a fourth player to be on the losing side in three consecutive games despite scoring a goal in each of those matches.

And the Norwegian skipper did hit the back of the net but on this occasion, his team left with all three points.

I'm sure he will be delighted.

FINAL 90 STATS

Whatever Mikel Arteta told his men in the dressing room at half-time worked because they came out in the second 45 and completely dominated the game.

More possession, more passes, more shots on goal and most importantly, more goals in the back of the net.

THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER

Arsenal probably won't have a more comfortable evening this season as they send Southampton packing with a score-line of three goals to the good.

ARSENAL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON

90+3. OOO Ben White gets his head on it but Jack Stephens manages to make a fine block and clear his lines too.

That should be that.

ARSENAL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON

90+3. Corner to the Gunners which will surely be the last kick of the game.

ARSENAL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON

90+2. Willy Caballero is trying to force his team up the field by pumping long balls forward when he receives it.

But this Southampton team look well and truly defeated.

They are just waiting for the final whistle at this point.

ARSENAL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON

90. Arsenal are toying with the visitors now, it's quite rude.

Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka played a lovely 1-2 before Saka attempted a strike on target.

Fortunately for Willy Caballero, it went wide of the mark but what a goal that would have been.

ARSENAL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON

88. That is one frustrated man right there.

Substitute Mohamed Elyounoussi had enough of Nicolas Pepe taunting him so the Saints forward decided to drag Pepe down very intentionally.

I have no idea how he didn't go in the book there.

ARSENAL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON

85. If ever I had seen a game drag along, it's this one.

Arsenal are aware they have got the three points, Southampton know they don't have a chance of making a come-back.

The referee might as well end the game now.

ARSENAL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON

83. And another one.

• Opening goal scorer Alexandre Lacazette - OFF
• Nicolas Pepe - ON

The Ivorian international is featuring for the first time in over three matches, can he put himself back in the boss' plans for the next game?

ARSENAL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON

81. Another roll of the dice for Mikel Arteta.

• Granit Xhaka - OFF
• Albert Sambi-Lokonga - ON

ARSENAL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON

80. With the three points in the bag, the match is slowly starting to fizzle out.

The Arsenal supporters are having to keep themselves entertained by singing "stand up, if you hate Tottenham, stand up, if you hate Tottenham!"

AIR RAMSDALE

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it's Aaron Ramsdale and this is for all the fans who doubted him when he signed for the Gunners in the summer.

Also this was just after he slid in front of the North Bank celebrating a goal in the game.

He is such a joy to watch at times.

ARSENAL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON

76. The Saints are beginning to build up some confidence on the back of Arsenal's complaceny.

But the camera just panned onto Mikel Arteta shouting at his players to get ahold of the ball again.

ARSENAL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON

75. Will this guy be beaten today?

Nathan Tella hit a quick snapshot from just outside the box but Aaron Ramsdale yet again, got low and beat the ball away to safety.

No wonder the English wonder-keeper won player of the month for Arsenal for a second successive time.

ARSENAL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON

74. Brilliant delivery from James Ward-Prowse but unlike Gabriel, Jan Bedanrek wasn't able to guide his header on target.

ARSENAL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON

73. ANOTHER HUGE SAVE FROM AIR RAMSDALE!

This time, Nathan Redmond tests the Arsenal goalkeeper but he is determined to keep a clean sheet this afternoon.

Southampton corner.