AARON RAMSDALE says he quit Arsenal because he did not want to stay on the bench and watch other people win championships.

And on his return to North London, he started for Southampton and almost hurt their chances of winning the Premier League in May.

An already nervous Gunners team was taken aback by Cameron Archer’s shocking first goal in the 55th minute, but their incredible response mirrored that of a contender.

Kai Havertz led the way as Arsenal mounted a valiant comeback against SouthamptonCredit: AP

Gabriel Martinelli also netted as the Gunners won 3-1 at the EmiratesCredit: Getty

Bukayo Saka confirmed all three points as Arsenal put the pressure on Man City and LiverpoolCredit: Getty

Three minutes later, Kai Havertz tied the record for Arsenal at the Emirates with his seventh goal in seven straight home games.

Super-sub The comeback was then finished by Gabriel Martinelli in the 68th minute, and the game was concluded by Bukayo Saka in the 88th minute, who added a stylish finish to his two assists.

Even though Saints’ 3-1 loss to Bournemouth last weekend was “painful,” manager Russell Martin should still be happy of his team’s perseverance, even though it is one of their worst starts to a top flight campaign ever, with a tie and six losses.

Arsenal, on the other hand, has won 41 straight games at home against newly promoted teams and is now unbeaten in 16 games across all competitions, which is the longest run under Mikel Arteta.

Arteta’s boys, however, have given reason to believe that this championship race will be the most unpredictable in recent memory after losing to Leicester late the previous week. This is the second week in a row.

Martin made four changes, giving Ryan Manning, the defender, and attacker Ross Stewart their unexpected first starts. Stewart’s Prem experience amounted to just ten minutes.

The starting lineup for Arteta was far from finalised. Kai Havertz, the centre forward, was in an offensive midfield role, while Thomas Partey, the holding midfielder, was positioned at right back.

It was also decided that this one would make an impression on the supporting cast. Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and injured Jurrien Timber are replaced by Jorginho, Gabriel Jesus, and Raheem Sterling.

The most troubling position, though, was Partey’s; the Ghanaian had not appeared there since a 2-2 draw against Fulham at home in August 2023.

The Saints were aware of this, which is why Ramsdale gave Partey an early boost right after kickoff.

Before the first whistle blew, the Ashburton Army had serenaded Ramsdale, who took great pleasure in spending a lot of time in the tunnel grinningly hugging his old friends.

Maybe he smiled because he knew the nice feelings would quickly fade with the first whistle and that a barrage of shots would keep his gloves toasty warm.

In the third minute, the first corner was received. Arteta had hinted at a change of approach to confuse Ramsdale – a man with an in-depth knowledge of the successful routines created by set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.

However, those were merely mind games as Arsenal’s cornerbacks followed the plan, packing the back post with Gabriel the roving head killer.

But Ramsdale had done his homework and remained determined, as did a resilient Saints defence.

Arsenal had a total of eight first half corners that never came close to finding the net.

The guests were doing a fantastic job of portraying the annoying part. At one point Declan Rice went short with a corner, out of replies. Not even mentioned in the Jover playbook.

Arsenal was equally careless and careless throughout open play, missing numerous opportunities as Martin’s guys threw themselves in front of numerous shots.

Bukayo Saka initially gave Kyle Walker-Peters a torrid time before the Saints defender ganged up on the England star with Ryan Manning to limit his influence.

And with Partey not a natural right-back accustomed to the art of the overlap, Saka had little joy, and eventually got a good studs-up kicking from Walker Peters that warranted a yellow.

Jesus and Sterling, trying so hard to seem good, were not measuring up. Sterling had two mazy runs – one from a poor pass out from Ramsdale – while Jesus’s lightning reactions were missing.

The Saints were forced into an early change in the 25th minute as Stewart hobbled off for Archer.

Looking back, it was a wise decision.

13Cameron Archer gave Saints the lead in the 55th minuteCredit: Getty

13Southampton could not believe they had gone ahead at the Emirate

Martin would have taken a lot of first half positives with some neat play out the back on occasion without really bothering David Raya up the other end.

Meanwhile, Jorginho volleyed just wide and Partey had Arsenal’s first shot on target in first half injury time – palmed away by Ramsdale and almost tapped in by Sterling but for Jan Bednarek’s timely interception.

The hosts were nervy after the break. Perhaps they still had scars from blowing a 2-0 lead against Leicester last weekend before a late, late show to somehow win 4-2.

Mateus Fernandes should have scored in the 49th minute, clipping onto the roof of the net from a brilliant drive by Tyler Dibling.

Saints continued to smell blood and got their just rewards. Sterling was weak in midfield from contact by Fernandes who then looped a ball over the backline into Archer’s feet.

Saliba got back, only to deflect Archer’s shot into Raya’s far corner.

Kai Havertz pulled one back for Arsenal just minutes laterCredit: Reuters

The German has entered a fine scoring run

Martin’s celebration was epic, but so was Arsenal’s reaction from a lazy pass by Flynn Downes allowing Havertz to race away and beat Ramsdale off his right post.

Arteta was relieved, but still rung the changes with an incoming trio of Martinelli, Trossard and a Prem debut in Mikel Merino replacing Sterling, Jesus and Jorginho.

It had the desired effect. Saka – finally with a bit of space against a tiring Saints defence – with a superb cross the back post for Martinelli to ping first time through Ramsdale’s legs.

Comeback complete, but Arsenal’s surprising lack of control and composure meant this game still threatened one last twist.

Dibling ducked and dived and smacked the post from range, hitting Gabriel on its way, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis clattered the bar with Raya punching the ball off the defender.

Yet just like against Leicester, another last-gasp burst cemented the win – Saka latching onto Sugawara’s dallying in the box with a potent finish.