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Arsenal bounce back to thrash Southampton 3-1 at Emirates
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Arsenal bounced back from conceding a goal to lowly Southampton to win 3-1 after a pulsating second half in their Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with winger Bukayo Saka instrumental in the Gunners’ victory.
Southampton were much-improved compared to their 3-1 drubbing against Bournemouth last Monday, but they had no answer to Saka’s boundless creativity as he created two goals and scored a third in an electric individual display.
After a dull first half, the visiting Saints, who came into the game in 19th place in the league with a single point to their name, took a surprising lead through Cameron Archer in the 55th minute as Arsenal were caught flat-footed by a rare counter-attack.
That lead turned out to be short-lived as Saka, who had looked lively from the start, teed up Kai Havertz to equalise less than four minutes later, making him the first Gunner since Robin van Persie to score in seven consecutive home games in all competitions.
With Southampton struggling to play through Arsenal’s press, coach Mikel Arteta rang the changes up front and it did not take long before his side took the lead.
Brought on the pitch on the hour mark, substitute Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal the lead nine minutes later with a brilliant first-time finish from close range after Saka picked him out at the back post with a superb cross.
All that was missing from Saka’s stellar performance was a goal of his own, and he duly got on the scoresheet himself in the 88th minute, capping off his fine individual display with a deft right-foot finish to put the game out of reach.
It was a tough one, but we showed our qualities – we know that they are a really good side and they played really well as well, to be fair, but we did well. We won the game, so we’re really happy with the result,” Gabriel Martinelli told the BBC.
The win means Arsenal head into the international break in third spot in the standings on 17 points, level with second-placed Manchester City and one behind leaders Liverpool.
Southampton coach Russell Martin was pleased with his side’s effort, despite another 3-1 defeat.
“I feel so much more positive and proud of my team than I did on Monday night, and we played against one of the best teams in the country. If we play like that in the next block of games I’d be very happy,” he said.
Reuters
Bruno Fernandes has been announcd the Premier League Player of the Season following an outstanding campaign with Manchester United.Soccer
The Portuguese midfielder, who captains the club, added the latest honour to an already impressive season after previously winning the Football Writers’ Association Men’s Player of the Year award earlier this month.
Fernandes played a crucial role in United’s strong league campaign, helping the Red Devils finish third and secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
The 31-year-old matched the Premier League record for assists in a single season after providing his 20th assist during United’s clash against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
In addition to his creativity, Fernandes also contributed eight league goals in 37 appearances for Manchester United this season.
No player in the Premier League created more chances than Fernandes, who recorded an impressive 132 chances — 43 more than the next closest player, Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool FC.
Fernandes becomes the first Manchester United player to win the prestigious award since former defender Nemanja Vidić claimed it in 2011.
The award was decided through a combination of public voting and selections made by a panel of football experts.
Other players shortlisted for the honour included David Raya, Gabriel Magalhães, Declan Rice, Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo, Igor Thiago and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Manchester United will round off their Premier League season with an away fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion FC on Sunday.
UEFA on Thursday named the Europa League Team of the Season following the conclusion of the competition on Wednesday.
Recall that Aston Villa won the Europa League after beating Freiburg 3-0 in the final in Turkey.
However, UEFA’s Technical Observer Group has now selected its 2025/26 Europa League Team of the Season.
Aston Villa have four players in the official Europa League Team of the Season.
Here is the team in full:
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)
Defenders
Victor Gómez (Braga)
Matthias Ginter (Freiburg)
Morato (Nottingham Forest)
Oscar Mingueza (Celta)
Midfielders
Maximilian Eggestein (Freiburg)
John McGinn (Aston Villa)
Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Forwards
Antony (Real Betis)
Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest)
Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa)
No fewer than four Arsenal stars could be playing their last Premier League match for the club this weekend.
The Gunners close out their title-winning campaign when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s men were confirmed champions on Tuesday night, following Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
Arsenal will now receive their trophy against Palace.
However, some members of the current squad may be sold when the next transfer window arrives.
Christian Norgaard could be heading out of the door, despite only joining Arsenal last summer from Brentford.
Arteta has left Norgaard out of the last two matchday squads and the Danish midfielder might have to seek new pastures.
Ben White, who is currently injured, has also been linked with Everton.
Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz are now undoubtedly ahead of Gabriel Jesus in the pecking order and the Brazilian striker could depart in search of more playing time.
Myles Lewis-Skelly is less likely to leave than Jesus and Trossard, despite starting only four league fixtures, he has also been linked with a shock move to Manchester United.
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