Arsenal vs Southampton LIVE: Updates and analysis from Emirates ...
Arsenal take on Southampton in their final game of this run of games ahead of the second international break of the campaign. A frustrating time perhaps for Mikel Arteta to see his team’s run broken up.
However, there is an argument that it will allow time for some absentees and injury doubts to return to action better after the hiatus from domestic action. Martin Odegaard is the key name but Jurrien Timber’s lack of inclusion in the Netherlands side for the next fortnight perhaps indicates he could do with being allowed some time off too.
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are the ones in contention for Saturday's game game after their own issues while Oleksandr Zinchenko is another who likely needs the break to finally recover from his own problems. There could be a first Premier League appearance for Mikel Merino while Ethan Nwaneri is also fighting for his first start in the league.
Southampton bring with them Aaron Ramsdale to the club he left in the summer. Hopefully the Gunners do not experience one of the former stopper’s best games here at his old club.
Tom Canton and Kaya Kaynak bring coverage from the Emirates Stadium including all the build-up to this afternoon's game. Updates and team news to follow…
16:38Tom Canton
On his right foot shot from Havertz, always a challenge. Cannot quite get his foot around the ball enough.
16:37Tom Canton
Southampton hit the bar again! Then Martinelli breaks down the left and Arsenal nearly find an opening. Phew!
16:36Tom Canton
Another warning shot from the Saints as they fire a deflected shot wide of Raya's right post. Corner to follow.
16:31Tom Canton
Saka this time with the strike! Ramsdale does well after some beautiful footwork from the winger.
16:26KEY EVENT
The boy has done it again! Second home game in a row, Martinelli at the back post! Saka with the brilliant cross!
VAR checking... Check complete, very tight but onside.
16:25Tom Canton
Havertz heads another corner wide.
16:21Tom Canton
Arsenal corner, the first for a while.
16:20Tom Canton
Over the bar but wow what a touch by Havertz! Great defending too by Calafiori to win the ball back.
16:18Tom Canton
Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus are off.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are on.
Jorginho also coming off for Mikel Merino.
16:16KEY EVENT
KAI HAVERTZ SCORES AGAIN!
Saka wins the back and lays it into Kai Havertz in the middle of the D, he curls the shot in off the post. Seven Emirates goal in a row.
16:13Tom Canton
The visitors have the lead. Archer is able to grab the ball and fire a deflected shot past Raya.
Sterling looked to have been fouled in the build-up but nothing was given.
16:10Tom Canton
Corner won as the winger does well to find space. The tackle is made to block the cross.
16:07Tom Canton
Very close to a Southampton goal. Dibiling driving into the box saw his cross blocked and rebound to Fernandes whose volley clipped the top of the bar and went out. Big warning sign.
16:04Tom Canton
Sterling picks up the ball and drives inside, a heavy touch sees Jesus grab the ball and spin. He curls an early effort round the post. Early positivity.
16:03Tom Canton
Here we go! A big half for the Gunners to try and find the breakthrough here at the Emirates with Man City also drawing with Fulham.
15:48Kaya Kaynak
Raya 6
Partey 6
Saliba 6
Gabriel 6
Calafiori 7
Jorginho 6
Rice 6
Havertz 7
Saka 7
Jesus 6
Sterling 7
15:48Tom Canton
Ramsdale punches away a Rice corner and brings an end to the half. Missed some big chances and the away side have held on well and frustrated the Gunners.
15:46Tom Canton
The former Arsenal man has stopped Sterling from tapping in a rebound and has paid for it. He is down in some pain.
15:45Tom Canton
Sterling this time into the box sees his shot blocked. Will there be a goal before the break? 2 added.
15:43Tom Canton
Referee! The crowd screams as the Saints seem to have delayed the restart and it has gone unpunished.
15:40Tom Canton
Very close for Jorginho. It loops up to Jorginho too invitingly and he has to hit it but it heads wide, Sterling was millimetres from touching it in.
15:36Tom Canton
Arsenal getting a bit frustrated here and Gabriel tries a Man City-esque centre-half long shot from outside the box goes over.
15:33Tom Canton
Yellow card for Bednarek who pulls back Jesus. Crossing opportunity for the Gunners from the left hand side.
Wasted.
15:30Tom Canton
Another block! Must nearly be double digits as Arsenal break and Kai Havertz sees the ball fall to his feet and it is blocked again. Ramsdale collects harmlessly.
15:27Tom Canton
Andreas Pereira has given the away side the lead at the Etihad Stadium
15:26Tom Canton
Ross Stewart has created a break in play. Arteta chatting to Saka and Jesus keenly, let's see if it makes a difference.
Cameron Archer is on, Ross Stewart is on.
15:22Tom Canton
Very bad challenge that. Saka down with studs but VAR seemingly have deemed it not harsh enough for a red.
15:19Tom Canton
Bukayo Saka this time with the shot. Another block comes in from Saints who are really hanging on at this point.
Ramsdale comes but misses, Saints defender clears for another corner.
Havertz has the ball in the net but the referee has blown his whistle. Corner will be retaken.
15:16Tom Canton
First chance for the away side. The ball falls to the former Spurs man, Walker-Peters, who volleys it straight at the Spaniard.
15:13Tom Canton
Really good work from the Italian to win back the ball. Arsenal are just suffocating possession away from the Saints.
