Arsenal 2-1 Southampton, Stoke City 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur: as it happened
Santi Cazorla held his nerve to score from the spot in the last minute.
Full-time: Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
- Santi Carzola secures a win for the Gunners with a last-minute penalty.
- Spurs romped to an emphatic win against Stoke, for whom Mark Hughes was sent to the stands.
- Watford came from behind to beat West Ham in East London.
Arsenal are now starting to find their rhythm against a well-drilled Saints side, who have plenty of men behind the ball. It's just Rodriguez who is being left upfield.
If Arsenal don't score early, they could be in for a long afternoon. Fraser Forster is already wasting time. Monreal has gone into the book, by the way.
There was a big game in Manchester earlier today and in case you missed what happened, you can check out our live blog.
Arsene Wenger also said prior to the game that Jack Wilshere is a "world-class player" – and has no intention of selling the midfielder.
The 24-year-old England international was recently allowed to join Bournemouth on a season-long loan deal, but Wenger has rubbished rumours that the move is a precursor to Wilshere leaving the club.
"I spoke to Jack and there were concerns that he wouldn't play enough," Wenger said, according to The Mirror. "If he has some time then he will come back at a competitive level. He's gone to play games.
"He wanted games and I can understand his desire, it's a logical decision. Let's not forget that he missed last year... you can't afford to be out two seasons without playing at the top level."
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted he was surprised by the speed with which they were able to sign Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez.
The duo joined the Gunners a few days before the summer transfer window closed but Wenger has said the deals were concluded earlier than he had expected.
"We were earlier than expected [on the two deals] with a quick turnaround on Saturday morning, when the window closed on the Wednesday," the Arsenal manager explained, according to The Mirror.
"Mustafi is a young centre-back and already has experience. Lucas Perez is an interesting striker who can score goals but can also provide assists. He has some interesting qualities."
The fans are filtering into the stadium before the big kick-off. After a fairly miserable opening day, there is a renewed sense of optimism around the Emirates.
Lucas Perez is, of course, a bit of an unknown quantity to British football fans. He enjoyed a breakthrough season last year and will be looking to build on that in the red of Arsenal. Can he do it? We're about to find out...
What managers say
Claude Puel: "Before signing for Southampton I spoke with him about the possibilities to coach in England. He said to me it would be a very good challenge to coach in England in the greatest championship in the world.
"It was important to sign for Southampton and to play against these managers. Arsene Wenger was my trainer during seven years at Monaco. It [is] a pleasure to see him on the other bench."
What Managers Say
Arsene Wenger: "[International breaks] are a little bit of a problem [for maintaining fluency], so I have to analyse how everybody came back, what kind of intensity they had to cope with and the fact as well that we play three days later again.
"Certainly, for some players, four games in 10 days plus the travelling is not really feasible at the top, top level. That's why you have a strong squad and I will focus on the players who could prepare properly for the game."
Preview
Southampton have an enviable record against the Gunners in recent times, beating them 4-0 at St.Mary's last year on boxing Day and following that up with a brilliant defensive performance at the Emirates, drawing the game 0-0.
The Saints have drawn two and lost one of their last three games and will be looking to recreate their past form against the North London club, who are yet to find their groove this season.
Preview
Arsenal come into the game on the back of their first win in the Premier League, against Watford, after a loss against Liverpool on the opening day and a 0-0 draw against Leicester City.
The mood is much better at the Emirates with the signing of two new players before deadline day, in the form of Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez.
Both players are likely to make an appearance and the fans will be hoping that they can set the ground running from the outset, especially with other clubs around them tearing away in the race for the title.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.