SLICK SAKA’S ON SONG TO SINK SAINTS
NICOLAS PEPE made a New Year’s resolution to score more goals. Better late than never.
Arsenal’s £72million man inspired their first comeback win in the league since July with his first goal since December 19.
He equalised after Stuart Armstrong struck first for Southampton, with further goals from Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette sealing victory.
And it meant Mikel Arteta’s men took revenge on Saints for knocking them out of the FA Cup.
Saints were ahead with less than four minutes played.When the home side won a corner, Danny Ings took Saka away with his run, allowing Armstrong to arrive late and score.
But Arsenal responded strongly with Granit Xhaka picking up the ball in midfield and feeding Pepe, above, in the box.
The Ivory Coast forward has his critics, but he applied a cool finish, beating Alex McCarthy to slot home.
Cedric Soares volleyed a spectacular effort wide, but Bernd Leno made a top-notch stop to deny Che Adams at the other end.
Armstrong was next to go close, cutting inside from the left before curling a decent effort just wide.
Ralph Hasenhuttl was then left furious when Theo Walcott overhit a simple pass which would have played Adams clean through. And before the Saints boss could calm down, Saka made it 2-1.
Leno launched a goal-kick forward,Arsenal won it, and Saka picked up a pass from Lacazette and rounded the keeper before slotting home.
It meant Saka became just the second English teenager to score for Arsenal in consecutive Premier League appearances, after Ashley Cole in October 2000.
But what McCarthy was thinking racing that far out of his goal is anybody’s guess.
The chances kept coming in the second half, with Walcott warming Leno’s gloves and Emile Smith Rowe rounding McCarthy but seeing his shot cleared.
Southampton kept coming, but Arsenal used their pace on the break to cause problems with Saka cutting inside to whistle another effort wide.
And the longer it went the more secure they started to look defending their lead.
When Ings went on a mazy run and bore down on goal, Leno was there to block his shot.
But it was game over when Saka picked out Lacazette for number three with a dangerous low cross with 18 minutes left.
SOUTHAMPTON (4-4-2): McCarthy 5; Valery 6 (Redmond 67, 6), Stephens 6, Bednarek 6, Vokins 6; Armstrong 7, Ward-Prowse 6, Diallo 6, Walcott 6 (N’Lundulu 74); Adams 6, Ings 6 (Watts 74). Goal: Armstrong 3. ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Leno 7; Bellerin 6, Holding 6, Luiz 6, Cedric 6; Partey 6 (Elneny 78), Xhaka 8; Pepe 7, Smith Rowe 6, Saka 7; Lacazette 6. Goals: Pepe 8, Saka 39, Lacazette 72.