Arsenal’s Friday night 3-3 tie with Southampton didn’t offer many encouraging lessons
The Gunners were already behind when Carlos Alcaraz gave the Saints the lead in the first minute, and Theo Walcott added a second to make it 2-0.
Before Duje Caleta-Car restored Southampton’s two-goal advantage, Gabriel Martinelli cut the deficit in half. However, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka scored late goals to give Mikel Arteta’s team a point. They really needed all three, but Arsenal’s Martinelli and Saka had a small piece of history to celebrate.
On Friday, Saka provided an assist for Martinelli’s first goal for Arsenal, giving the Brazilian 20 league goal participations overall. When Saka reached that milestone, they were the second set of teammates under the age of 21 to each participate in 20+ goals in a Premier League season.
Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, two Manchester United legends who established the record in 2006–07, were the first pair. That season, Manchester United won the Premier League, but Arsenal will have a difficult time matching that accomplishment this year.
Following travels to Liverpool and West Ham, Friday’s draw was their third straight blunder, making Wednesday’s trip to Manchester City more more crucial. With 15 Premier League goals so far this season, 21-year-old Martinelli has already surpassed his 2021/22 season in style, scoring nine more goals than he did the previous time around. Saka, meanwhile, has improved upon his previous mark (11) and is currently sitting on 13.
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