EPL: Arsenal Avenge FA Exit vs Southampton

Arsenal avenged their FA Cup exit against Southampton with Alexandre Lacazette, Bukayo Saka and Nicholas Pepe on target in a 3-1 win in the Premier League rematch on Tuesday.

Mikel Arteta's side saw their reign as FA Cup holders ended in a lacklustre 1-0 fourth-round defeat at St Mary's on Saturday.

But Arsenal made amends for that blow with a convincing success on their return to Southampton four days later.

Unfazed by Stuart Armstrong's early strike for the hosts, Arsenal were ahead by halftime thanks to goals from Nicolas Pepe and Saka.

⬆️ Forward
⬇️ Back
⬅️ Left
➡️ Right@OficialCedric was everywhere tonight ? pic.twitter.com/6GXLNoTMrc

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 26, 2021

Alexandre Lacazette netted in the second half as Arsenal came from behind to win an away league game for the first time since Arteta took charge in December 2019.

Arsenal are up to eighth place after the fifth victory in their last six league matches, putting them in a rich vein of form ahead of Saturday's visit from title contenders Manchester United.

READ ALSO: EPL: Auba Double Pushes Arsenal Back Into Top 10

Southampton, stuck in mid-table, have only won one of their last seven league games.

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was unavailable again for "personal family reasons" after also missing last weekend's FA Cup loss.

Saka, Lacazette and Emile Smith Rowe were recalled as Arteta made five changes and the reshuffled Gunners should have been ahead inside the first minute.