If struggling Southampton wanted a dream start against leaders Arsenal, then they got exactly what they wished for.
Ruben Selles' side took the lead inside the opening 27 seconds at the Emirates Stadium after a disastrous mistake from Aaron Ramsdale. The Arsenal goalkeeper tried to feed the ball into midfield, but instead it was intercepted by Carlos Alcaraz, who took a touch before slotting into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
This was certainly not in the script as Arsenal tried to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table. The Gunners' start then turned into a nightmare when ex-Gunner Theo Walcott struck to send shockwaves around the ground and amongst the hopeful home supporters.
However, one thing that you can guarantee from this Arsenal side is that they have character and a knowhow on how to bounce back. It took Mikel Arteta's side just six minutes to pull a goal back through Gabriel Martinelli, who tucked the ball home after a neat cutback from Bukayo Saka.
Although the first-half didn't see anymore goals, there was plenty of drama. A number of players from both sides were booked, while Jan Bednarek had to come off after suffering a head injury. Gary Neville, who was working for Sky Sports, had his say on the start to the game.
Neville said on co-commentary: "Wow. Well I’m having flashbacks to a pass that David de Gea tried to Harry Maguire last night but that one got there, this one didn’t. It was just telegraphed, what a start to this game.
"A mistake by Ramsdale who was fantastic at Anfield a couple of weeks ago, thought he could have done better for the second goal last week at Upton Park, but here today has had a very, very nervy start and has put the team at the top of the league, against the team at the bottom, right up against it.
"Look, we know that Arsenal have struggled in the last couple of weeks to keep a lead, there’s nothing for them to think about here they just have to go for it, obviously. It won’t change their performance too much, it’s very early in the game, but it’ll certainly wake them up and it’s something different for them to contend with."
Southampton were buoyed from their impressive start and doubled their advantage in the 14th minute through Walcott. Alcaraz slipped the ball through to Walcott inside right channel, before the winger coolly tucked the ball home to send the Emirates into shock.
"It's all a little odd. If you wanted signs of nerves, signs of wobble, signs of tension, you're seeing it right in front of your eyes," Neville added. "They give it away - and I talked about them punching through midfield - the run from Walcott takes Gabriel wide and then he cuts back and darts inside, it’s a brilliant connection from Southampton."
Arsenal managed to pull one back just six minutes later in a bizarre, crazy opening to the game. Excellent work from Bukayo Saka saw him cut the ball back to Gabriel Martinelli on the edge of the six-yard box, and the Brazilian did the rest, firing the ball into the back of the net beyond a hapless Gavin Bazunu.
As the game wore on, it felt as though Arsenal were going to equalise. But Southampton continued to re-write the script as Duje Caleta-Car gave the visitors a third goal.
However, Arsenal continued to show their never say die attitude. Martin Odegaard pulled another back, before Saka scored a dramatic equaliser in the 90th minute to earn a share of the spoils.
