LONDON: Arsenal staged a stirring fightback to keep their Premier League title challenge on course with a 3-1 victory against struggling Southampton on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side were rocked by Cameron Archer’s shock opener for the winless visitors early in the second half at the Emirates Stadium.
But Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli struck in quick succession to restore order, before Bukayo Saka wrapped up Arsenal’s fifth win in seven league games.
After finishing as runners-up to Manchester City for the last two years, the Gunners are again in contention for their first title since 2004.
Saka this week said he expects Arsenal to finally lift the Premier League trophy this season.
They sit in third place, one point behind leaders Liverpool, after extending their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions.
Four days after their statement victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Arsenal faced a Southampton side who have managed only one point from seven games since their promotion.
Aaron Ramsdale, who appeared 78 times in the Premier League for the Gunners, made his Emirates return and nearly gifted Arsenal an early opener with a sloppy clearance, but Raheem Sterling squandered the chance.
Arsenal dominated the first half without testing Ramsdale until stoppage-time when he parried Thomas Partey’s strike.
In the 55th minute, Sterling was out-muscled by Mateus Fernandes in midfield and he played in Archer, who broke free of William Saliba to fire a deflected shot past David Raya.
Southampton’s lead lasted just three minutes as Saka dispossessed Flynn Downes before finding Havertz in space, who confidently drilled home for his fourth goal in his last four games.
On the hour mark, Arteta introduced Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in a pair of substitutions that turned the tide.
Saka’s fine cross found Martinelli unmarked in the 68th minute and the winger’s side-footed volley went in through Ramsdale’s legs.
Tyler Dibling’s deflected shot hit the foot of Raya’s post and Adam Armstrong’s effort cannoned onto the bar in a tense finale.
But as the Saints pushed for an equalizer, Trossard broke free.
Yukinari Sugawara’s interception only fell to Saka, who blasted past Ramsdale to keep Arsenal in pursuit of their title dream.
Arsenal hit back in style after Southampton scare
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Arsenal hit back in style after Southampton scare
- Mikel Arteta’s side were rocked by Cameron Archer’s shock opener for the winless visitors early in the second half at the Emirates Stadium
- Bukayo Saka wrapped up Arsenal’s fifth win in seven league games
Carrick takes Manchester United helm until season’s end
- Carrick faces an immediate baptism of fire with his first match being the derby against Man City
- “My focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club,” Carrick said
MANCHESTER: Manchester United have turned to one of their own, appointing their former midfielder Michael Carrick to steady the ship as interim manager until the season’s end, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.
Carrick replaces Ruben Amorim, who was sacked earlier this month, and faces an immediate baptism of fire with his first match being the derby against second-placed Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.
“Michael is an excellent coach and knows exactly what it takes to win at Manchester United,” club director of football Jason Wilcox said in a statement.
“He is ready to lead our talented and determined group of players for the remainder of the season as we continue to build the club toward regular and sustained success.”
The 44-year-old former Middlesbrough manager inherits a team in crisis, sitting seventh in the Premier League table — a whopping 17 points behind leaders Arsenal — and eliminated from both domestic cups.
“Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honor,” Carrick said.
“I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing.
“There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves.”
The FA Cup exit in a 2-1 home defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday has left United facing their shortest season since 1914-15, with just 40 games to play.
It is a return to familiar territory for Carrick, who previously served as caretaker manager in 2021 following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal.
A team source said three candidates were interviewed, with British media reporting that Solskjaer was in contention for the role.
United were not keen to change head coaches mid-season, according to the team source, but results and behaviors meant they needed to act immediately in order to achieve their objectives. The objective was to bring in someone who knew and understood the club to reduce the risk of a period of adaptation.
Following Amorim’s turbulent tenure, United had placed Carrick’s former teammate and under-18 coach Darren Fletcher in temporary charge but he failed to register a win in his two games, having also drawn 2-2 with lowly Burnley in the league.
“The club would like to place on record its gratitude to Darren Fletcher for his leadership during the last week,” the club said in its statement.
“Fletcher will remain as Lead Coach of the Under-18s, playing a vital role in developing players ready to perform in a winning Manchester United first team.”
MANCHESTER UNITED PEDIGREE
Carrick brings significant United pedigree having made 464 appearances across all competitions during his playing career, lifting five Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy with the club.
His managerial experience includes a mixed stint at second-tier club Middlesbrough, where he initially worked wonders after joining in October 2022 with the Championship side languishing in 21st place.
Carrick quickly turned things around, guiding them to a fourth-placed finish and the playoffs in his first season while they reached the League Cup semifinals the following campaign.
However, Middlesbrough failed to gain promotion as they finished eighth and 10th in his last two seasons, leading to Carrick’s dismissal in June last year.
Carrick faces a testing first two games in charge, with a trip to the Emirates to play Arsenal following the Manchester derby.
With domestic cups already off the table, securing a top-four finish will be a key target, but Carrick will also be tasked with reviving belief and tactical cohesion in a demoralized squad in a state of disarray.
