Saints bounce back in style

premier-league St Mary's Stadium | Sat 16 Apr 3PM | Attendance: 31,465
Match Report post Highlights

SOU vs ARS
Match Centre

SOU vs ARS As It Happened

Key moments so far

  • Saints dent Arsenal's hopes of a top four finish
  • Jan Bednarek's goal just before the break the difference
  • Fraser Forster produced a stunning performance for Saints
  • Martinelli, Saka and Smith Rowe all denied by the Saints stopper

REPORT: Southampton 1-0 Arsenal

Click here to read how a memorable afternoon unfolded at St Mary's.

17.12

FULL TIME: Southampton 1-0 Arsenal

WHAT A WIN! Saints have done it. A dogged performance earns a much-needed three points, with Jan Bednarek's first half strike enough to claim all three points and dent Arsenal's hopes of a top four finish. Ralph Hasenhüttl's side were up against it after the break, but defended valiantly to secure the win. COME ON! 

16.53
90+4’

Yellow Card for Shane Long (Southampton)

Longy is booked for delaying an Arsenal free-kick from being taken. 

90+3’

Martinelli blazes high and wide

Arsenal can't break down the hosts, forcing Martinelli to try his luck from 20 yards, but it's into row z with time running out.

90+2’

Almost a Prowsey special

The captain's free-kick from the edge of the box is whipped towards goal, but Ramsdale parries the strike away. 

90+1’

Southampton substitution: Tino Livramento replaces Mohamed Elyounoussi

A final change of the afternoon. Well played, Moi 👏

90’

Yellow Card for Benjamin White (Arsenal)

A yellow for the Arsenal defender, following a cynical foul on Elyounoussi.

90’

Hold on, Saints fans 😅

We'll have five additional minutes to play.

85’

Xhaka calls Forster into action

Having had his first shot blocked, the midfielder tries his luck once again from 20 yards, but a strong left-hand from Forster pushes the ball away from danger.

81’

Southampton substitution: Nathan Redmond replaces Stuart Armstrong

Well played, Stu 😇

81’

Saka denied

A long spell of possession eventually leads to a shot from an acute angle, but Forster is perfectly positioned to parry away Saka's strike. 

A world class stop ⛔️

That's three sensational saves from Forster now. Arsenal will wonder how they haven't beaten the Saints stopper this afternoon.

73’

Southampton substitution: Shane Long replaces Armando Broja

Good shift, Armando 👏

73’

Unbelievable save, Fraser! 😱

Smith Rowe's volley from 12 yards looks destined for the back of the net, but Forster somehow claws the ball out for a corner. Sensational stop!

71’

Pepe off target with acrobatic effort

Xhaka's cross is slightly behind Pepe in the middle, but the substitute manages to fire an acrobatic volley just wide of Forster's goal.  

Digging in 😤

Arteta's side are keeping the pressure on in search of an equaliser, but Saints are standing tall as the game ticks into the final 20 minutes.

68’

Arsenal substitution: Nicolas Pépé replaces Nuno Albertino Varela Tavares

A second swap for Arsenal.

63’

Saka flashes just wide

That had Forster scrambling... Saka cuts in from the right wing and looks to pick out the far corner, but his well-hit strike is just wide with Forster at full-stretch. 

61’

Standing firm 💪

The Gunners are ramping up the pressure, with a series of crosses into the box, but the hosts are so far up to the challenge, with Bednarek, Valery and Lyanco working well in the middle of defence.

59’

Arsenal substitution: Emile Smith Rowe replaces Cédric Ricardo Alves Soares

A first change for the visitors, as the former Saint is withdrawn.

57’

Nketiah flicks wide

Cédric delivers a dangerous ball into the box that finds Nketiah at the near post, but his clever flick drifts a yard wide of the far post. 

56’

Yellow Card for Armando Broja (Southampton)

The striker becomes the first player in the book, for a late challenge on White. 

The difference so far 💥

Rewinding to Jan Bednarek's opener just before the break.

50’

Tavares blazes over

With Saints sitting deep, Tavares once again tries his luck from range, but his attempt flies well over Forster's crossbar. 

48’

Arsenal search for a quick response

Tavares tries his luck from 20 yards, but his strike comes off of Lyanco's head for a corner.

46'

Back under way 👊

The second half begins as Saints look to preserve their lead.

HALF TIME: Southampton 1-0 Arsenal

The perfect time to score! Saints have the lead at the break courtesy of Jan Bednarek's strike on 44 minutes. Arsenal will feel they enjoyed the better of the half, with Forster brilliantly denying both Martinelli and Saka, but it's the hosts who lead at the halfway stage. 

GOALSCORER 35 Jan Bednarek

JAN THE MAN! 🙌

We have the opener! Saints have enjoyed a good spell of possession in the last few minutes and now have the lead. With Arsenal only half clearing their lines from a corner, Elyounoussi squares the ball for Bednarek to fire into the roof of the net. Get in!  

44’

GOOOAL!!!

Jan Bednarek (44’) | 1 0

42’

Better from Saints

Hasenhüttl's side enjoy some territory deep in the Arsenal half, but Ramsdale eventually collects Kyle Walker-Peters's deflected cross. 

38’

Cédric struggling on St Mary's return

Facing his former club, Cédric has twice in quick succession fired a wide free-kick straight out for a goal kick, much to the enjoyment of the home faithful. 

37’

Tavares chopped down

A chance for Arsenal to swing a dangerous ball into the box, as Valery fouls Tavares in between the corner flag and box, close to the byline. 

32’

Saints frustrate the visitors

The Gunners are continuing to see a lot of the ball at St Mary's, but the hosts are doing a good job of containing Arsenal's attack.

25’

Armstrong tests Ramsdale

A long throw from Bednarek falls nicely for Stu Armstrong to hit first-time, but his left-footed attempt from 12 yards is smothered by Ramsdale.

Big Fras 🔥

Fraser Forster has made two stunning first half saves to deny Martinelli and Saka, keeping the game goalless at the midway point of the half.

21’

Gunners growing in confidence 📈

The visitors are enjoying a good spell here at St Mary's, with Mikel Arteta's side sensing an opener could be on the cards.

18’

Take a bow, Fras 👏

Arsenal intercept a pass from Valery and set Martinelli through on the right, who in turn picks out Saka at the back post, but Forster somehow gets a hand to the England international's effort and tips it over the bar. Some save!

Back in action 💪

Lyanco is back playing his first match since February. 

14’

Appeals for handball 

Perraud drives forward and lets fly from 20 yards with his effort deflecting off of Martinelli. The left-back is appealing for handball, but a corner it is...

9’

Martinelli goes close 

A first save of the day from Forster, who gets down to his right brilliantly to parry away Martinelli's low shot after the Brazilian cut in from the right wing.

6’

Almost an opening 😱

Broja does brilliantly to beat White and race into the box along the byline, but his ball across the box narrowly evades Elyounoussi in the middle and is hacked clear.

3’

Some early Arsenal pressure

The visitors are first on the front foot, as Bednarek is forced to head Nketiah's cross behind for a corner.

0’

COME ON SAINTS! 🔴⚪️

We're under way at St Mary's. Come on, lads!

Almost that time... ⏱

The teams are out at St Mary's, bathed in sunshine ahead of an afternoon of Premier League action! 

14.56

Warm-ups ✅

We're approaching kick-off here at St Mary's, with the warm ups complete.

14.50

Sun's out at St Mary's 🕶

14.32

Lyanco is BACK 👊

14.28
VOTE NOW
Who are you most excited to see back in the starting XI, Saints fans?

Who are you most excited to see back in the starting XI, Saints fans?

The results so far:

  • Lyanco
    20%
  • Yan Valery
    2%
  • Romain Perraud
    39%
  • Armando Broja
    39%

Arsenal line-up confirmed

Starting XI: Ramsdale, Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tavares, Xhaka, Lokonga, Odegaard, Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli. 

Subs: Lend, Holding, Ogungbo, Swanson, Elneny, Azeez, Smith Rowe, Hutchkinson, Pepe. 

14.07

Saints line-up confirmed 😇

Starting XI: Forster, Walker-Peters, Valery, Lyanco, Bednarek, Perraud, Romeu, Ward-Prowse [c], S. Armstrong, Elyounoussi, Broja

Subs: Caballero, Livramento, Salisu, Stephens, Remond, Tella, Adams, Long, A. Armstrong. 

14.00

Wholesome content ❤️

13.45

MATCH PACK: Saints vs Arsenal

Get up to speed ahead of this afternoon's clash at St Mary's with our March Pack.

12.56

I think you’re going to see two teams that are hurting because we are hurting after we lost the last two games, and we want to perform and win. I’m sure that after their home defeat they had they will want to do the same."

mikel arteta
on southampton challenge
12.27

FA CUP VICTORY 🏆 | Southampton 1-0 Arsenal

It was a great occasion when Arsenal visited St Mary's in January 2021, claiming a 1-0 victory in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup. 

12.13

St Mary's Saturdays 😇

It's a glorious day in SO14 as Southampton host Arsenal in the Premier League. It's been a difficult couple of weeks for both Ralph Hasenhüttl and Mikel Arteta's sides and victory in SO14 could prove vital for their season hopes. Arsenal could rise to fourth in the league standings with victory over Saints, with Saints still seeking that top ten finish. Come on you Saints!

11.14

SOU vs ARS Line Ups

Southampton

44
Fraser Forster (GK)
4
Lyanco
35
Jan Bednarek goal
43
Yan Valery
8
James Ward-Prowse (C)
15
Romain Perraud
6
Oriol Romeu
2
Kyle Walker-Peters
18
Armando Broja yellow card
replace Shane Long (74′) yellow card
17
Stuart Armstrong
replace Nathan Redmond (82′)
24
Mohamed Elyounoussi
replace Valentino Livramento (92′)
23
Nathan Tella
11
Nathan Redmond
21
Valentino Livramento
9
Adam Armstrong
10
Che Adams
7
Shane Long
5
Jack Stephens
22
Mohammed Salisu
13
Willy Caballero

Arsenal

32
Aaron Ramsdale (GK)
4
Benjamin White yellow card
17
Cédric Soares
replace Emile Smith Rowe (60′)
20
Nuno Tavares
replace Nicolas Pépé (70′)
6
Gabriel Magalhães
34
Granit Xhaka
35
Gabriel Martinelli
7
Bukayo Saka
23
Albert Sambi Lokonga
8
Martin Ødegaard (C)
30
Eddie Nketiah
25
Mohamed Elneny
61
Mazeed Ogungbo
1
Bernd Leno
82
Omari Hutchinson
19
Nicolas Pépé
10
Emile Smith Rowe
16
Rob Holding
38
Miguel Azeez
69
Zak Swanson

SOU vs ARS Match Stats

Southampton

Head to Head Stats

Arsenal
  • Possession (%)
    24
    comparison angle
    76
  • Shots
    9
    comparison angle
    23
  • Shots on target
    3
    comparison angle
    6
  • Corners
    6
    comparison angle
    8
  • Passes Complete
    131
    comparison angle
    582

Top Saints Player Stats

shots on target
Goals
1
Jan Bednarek
Jan Bednarek
shots on target
Shots On Target
1
Jan Bednarek
Jan Bednarek
chances created
Chances Created
2
Armando Broja
Armando Broja
passes completed
Passes Completed
17
Jan Bednarek
Jan Bednarek
tackles
Tackles
3
Kyle Walker-Peters
Kyle Walker-Peters
clearances
Clearances
8
Lyanco
Lyanco
saves
Saves
6
Fraser Forster
Fraser Forster