MIKEL ARTETA was spotted checking his “dark arts” notepad which included THREE key principles to beating Southampton.
Arsenal secured a 3-1 home win against the Premier League’s basement boys on Saturday to keep his side hot on the tails of Man City and Liverpool.
The Gunners came from behind to secure all three points thanks to strikes from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.
And Arsenal have now won their last four in all competitions while remaining unbeaten.
However, Arteta may have to rethink his tactics for the next match at Bournemouth.
The Spaniard loves to make scribbles on tactical plans before and during matches.
And unfortunately for Arteta, his latest notes were caught in broad daylight at the Emirates.
One piece of paper, with a red header and footer, appeared to show positions on the field with various instructions.
However, it was difficult to make out what exactly it said, with the black ink written on the other side.
Yet another note was clearer to see.
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And it appeared to outline Arteta’s three “principles” to beating Southampton.
The first note read: “Force AR 6 yard.”
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It is unclear what exactly this meant.
But it could be interpreted as instructions to make Saints goalie and former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale play on the edge of his six-yard box.
Arteta’s next two “principles” were harder to gauge due to his fingers blocking the final words.
One read: “Force our…”
And the second added: “Avoid switch…”
Below, there was another section to Arteta’s masterplan.
One note said: “Throw ins. Who takes it?”
While the second said “right” before being cut off by Arteta’s fingers.
After the game, the Spaniard praised his Arsenal players for their resilient performance.
Arsenal ratings vs Southampton: Saka saves nervy Gunners with Jesus low on confidence
ARSENAL came from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 in front of a temporarily anxious Emirates crowd.
Here’s how SunSport’s Ivan Speck rated every Arsenal player…
David Raya – 6
A spectator for most of the game. Could do anything to keep out Cameron Archer’s curling opener.
Thomas Partey – 6
Swapped his usual defensive midfield role for right-back, though given the one-way traffic, he barely had any defensive duties.
But he supported Saka at every opportunity.
William Saliba – 6
Dependable as always when he was needed, which was mostly in the second half.
Could have closed down Archer more quickly for the Southampton goal, but not alone in that.
Gabriel – 6
Spent more time in the Southampton box trying to get his head on corners than in his own area, especially in the first half.
Handled the giant Paul Onuachu well when Southampton threw him on.
Riccardo Calafiori – 5
Given a couple of uncomfortable moments by Tyler Dibling.
Did not seem to know which way the St Mary’s youngster was going half the time.
Jorginho – 6
Inches wide with a searing low shot late in the first half.
Probed but rarely found an incisive pass through the yellow shirts. Taken off after an hour.
Declan Rice – 6
His usual solid self and tried to take on a more creative role with Southampton camped out in front of their own area, but prefers an open game to showcase his box-to-box talents.
Raheem Sterling – 7
A freedom about his play. Happy to take on defenders at pace with his dancing feet.
Unlucky not to finish off one dazzling run and even more unfortunate to be taken off after an hour.
But was robbed of the ball for the Saints opener.
Bukayo Saka – 9
A game of two halves. Had to cope with being double-teamed every time he picked up the ball in the first half and there was disbelief around the Emirates when he launched one shot high into the stands.
The second period was a different story. Tore Southampton to shreds time and again.
A brilliant floated cross for Gabriel Martinelli to put Arsenal ahead, then a typically clinical finish for his side’s third.
Kai Havertz – 8
Proved his worth again as a scorer of important goals with the crucial equaliser just as nerves were beginning to jangle around the Emirates.
Gabriel Jesus – 4
Too long in the shadows has drained him of the belief he had when he first arrived at Arsenal as the main man up front.
Two tame shots summed up his current ineffectiveness.
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Gabriel Martinelli (Sterling 60) – 8
Three weeks ago, his role in the Arsenal side was in question.
His form has returned in spades with a second Premier League goal in successive weeks.
Leandro Trossard (Jesus 61) – 7
Like Martinelli, welcomed as a hero when he came on. Has become an important player in this Arsenal team. His run led to the third Arsenal goal.
Mikel Merino (Jorginho 61) – 6
A first Premier League appearance in Arsenal colours. Introduced just as the games was opening up and will benefit from the taster.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (Partey 84) – 6
Back from injury. Given a run out towards the end to ease him back into first team duties.
Jakub Kiwior (Calafiori 90) – 6
Introduced late on when the game was won. Not much to do.
He said: “Saka has the capacity to change and decide games.
“If we want to be at the top, sometimes players have to create those moments and he’s done that again.
“What he is doing at his age is unbelievable — and when the team needs him. That’s what defines a top player.”
On Havertz, Arteta added: “He wants more. He’s not satisfied. There is still another level from him.
“He’s surrounded by incredible players but something has changed in him. You really sense that confidence in him.
“Now he’s putting it in games and he’s winning matches, which is great. He’s an attacking midfielder, he’s a nine, you don’t know where he is.
“That’s his football brain. His focus is, ‘I’m going to win the game, I’m going do it’.”
Meet the Arsenal Wags from Strictly star to a flight attendant
Tolami Benson – partner of Bukayo Saka
Benson and Saka have kept information on their relationship largely quiet.
They do not appear on each others Instagram pages but she was seen speaking to Saka at the 2022 World Cup.
Helene Spilling – partner of Martin Odegaard
A professional dancer from Norway who rose to fame in the country’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, the pair were first spotted together at the Football Awards in March 2023.
Sophie Weber – partner of Kai Havertz
Weber works as a model and social media influencer and is the most high profile member of the group on online with almost 400,000 followers on Instagram.
They are childhood sweethearts having grown up in the same neighbourhood.
Milly White – partner of Ben White
The couple got engaged in 2022 before tying the knot officially in May last year. They have matching “I love you tattoos” on their wrists. Milly White works as a model.
Laura Trossard Hilven – partner of Leandro Trossard
The pair met in 2014 before getting married in 2019.
They have two sons together, Thiago and Amadeo.
Lauren Fryer – partner of Declan Rice
Lauren Fryer and Declan Rice have been together since 2015. She tends to keep a lower profile compared to some of Arsenal’s other Wags but is no less stunning.
She sadly deleted all pictures on her Instagram after suffering horrific abuse by vile trolls.
Georgina Ramsdale – partner of Aaron Ramsdale
Georgina Ramsdale works as a flight attendant.
The couple got married last June after the Arsenal star proposed in 2022. They originally met in 2019.
