In the week that Bukayo Saka said he expected this season to be the one in which 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.
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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.
After a drab opening half, the game had come alive, and on the hour mark, Arteta introduced Martinelli and Leandro Trossard to save the day. And it was the former who did just that. Saka’s fine cross found Martinelli unmarked, and the winger’s side-footed volley went through Ramsdale’s legs. A nervy VAR check for offside followed, but Arsenal survived.
