Arsenal 6-1 Southampton

Arsenal produced a footballing masterclass in North London as they romped to a 6-1 victory over rock bottom Southampton.

Southampton scored two own goals while a Gervinho brace and strikes from Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott completed the rout at the Emirates, matching the same scoreline as when the sides met at Highbury in 2003. The Gunners went into the game looking to end their worst home run of form in 17 years and looked in rampant mood from the offset. They set the tone for the remainder of the game after 11 minutes when Kieran Gibbs's cross slid under the body of Kelvin Davis, only for Jos Hooiveld to turn the ball into his own net. Per Mertesacker came close to adding a second for the home side before his side produced a six minute spell of pressure which saw them score three goals. Lukas Podolski scored his second in an Arsenal shirt with a sublime 30-yard free-kick just after the half hour mark and Gervinho lashed in his first goal in 2012 moments later. Nathaniel Clyne's own goal from another Gibbs cross made the scoreline 4-0 on 37 minutes but the visitors managed to pull back a consolation goal in first-half stoppage time when Daniel Fox punished a Wojciech Szczesny error. Gaston Ramirez made his Southampton debut as a half-time substitute and impressed in his first appearance for his new club, forcing Szczesny into a save just after the restart with a low strike. He was central to Southampton's performance in the second-half which saw them more than match Arsenal and Ricky Lambert almost reduced the deficit when he tried to turn in the Uruguayan's long range shot. But the Gunners were more clinical in front of goal and always looked dangerous. Gervinho added his second of the game on 71 minutes when Aaron Ramsey's shot came back off the post and the Ivorian tapped it in from close range. The two-goal man was given a standing ovation as he and Podolski made way for Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud and Walcott put the final nail in the coffin three minutes before the final whistle with a cool finish. Arsenal conceded their first goal of the season but are still unbeaten in the Premier League, rising up to third place with the win. Arsene Wenger's side now have a midweek Champions League tie at Montpellier to look forward to before an eye-catching fixture at the Etihad Stadium in eight days. Southampton meanwhile remain rock bottom but could be forgiven having faced both Manchester clubs and Arsenal in their opening four fixtures. Adkins will now look forward to a home tie against Aston Villa next weekend to get off the mark in the Premier League.