Arsenal halted their brief dip in poor form with an impressive victory over a struggling Southampton side.
After defeats by both Manchester United and Everton on their travels, Mikel Arteta's side got back to winning ways at a rain-sodden Emirates Stadium.
Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring after a delightful team move that involved Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka before a neat finish from the Frenchman.
Six minutes later, Odegaard notched the hosts second with a header from close range after Kieran Tierney headed the ball back into danger.
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Gabriel put the result beyond any doubt just after the hour as the Brazilian rose highest to nod home from a corner.
The win takes the Gunners into fifth place for the time being, though United could leapfrog them once again with a win over Norwich in the evening kick-off.
Arch-rivals Tottenham sit just two points behind, though do have the advantage of having played two games less than their north London neighbours.
Mirror Sport has analysed the main talking points from Arsenal's clash with Southampton, including the reasoning behind the omission of club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Read more: Details of Aubameyang disciplinary breach emerge after Arsenal star is dropped
Aubameyang’s absence
Few Arsenal fans would have actually wanted the club captain in the side given his recent form in front of goal, but the circumstances surrounding his omission from the squad only add to the low morale around the club.
Arteta’s pre-match comments make for grim reading from an Arsenal perspective, confirming what many had feared about Aubameyang’s absence.
Pressed on why the Gabon international was not in the squad, the Spaniard revealed: "Unfortunately due to a disciplinary breach.
"I think we have been very consistent that we have certain non-negotiables in the team that we have set ourselves as a club, and he's not involved today.
"It's not an easy situation and not a situation we want to have our club captain in."
During the game, reports broke that the skipper was dropped due to returning late from a trip abroad.
Gunners reap benefit from playing it out from the back
Arsenal’s manager remains adamant that the Gunners back four, as well as shot-stopper Ramsdale, should always look to break lines and beat a press via passing it through potential trouble.
If executed well, it can operate as a successful springboard to launch attacks – as Arteta’s side found out for the opening goal.
Tensions inside the ground rose as Ramsdale just about got his pass off to Ben White, who remained composed to find Thomas Partey.
The Ghanian fizzed his pass into the feet of Takehiro Tomiyasu and all of a sudden Arsenal were away, a neat exchange between the right back and Bukayo Saka put the hosts in a promising position.
Arsenal's Hale End academy graduate found Lacazette who made no mistake from around 15 yards to register what is just his second goal of the league season.
Odegaard among the goals again
One of Arsenal’s biggest problems in recent years has been an over-reliance on Aubameyang when it comes goal-scoring, nowadays the midfielders appear to do it more than him.
Emile Smith Rowe is the club’s top scorer this season, but in his absence Odegaard seems to have taken it upon himself to step up the plate.
The Norway international has been, for the most part, impressive since making his switch from Real Madrid permanent in the summer, but has desperately needed to add goals to his game for some time.
Having notched just two during his six-month loan spell at the club last term, Odegaard has notched more in the last three games after finding the net against Manchester United, Everton and now Southampton respectively.
Today’s goal undoubtedly the most uncharacteristic, the 22-year-old creeping into the box to head beyond Willy Caballero.
Arsenal don’t change
Despite a disastrous performance away at Everton on Monday night, Arteta opted to deploy the exact same starting eleven for the visit of the Saints today.
Having not played since September’s derby day victory over Tottenham Hotspur, Granit Xhaka was thrown back into the thick of things at Goodison Park and kept his place at the Emirates.
Perhaps the bravest decision of all was to keep £45m man Thomas Partey in the starting line-up after his recent string of woeful displays, the worst of all coming in the last outing against the Toffees.
However, after some early jitters Arsenal’s expensively assembled squad started to play with the freedom and flair many know they can, including those who have struggled of late.
Arteta's decision to task those who failed on Monday to better themselves five days later clearly justified.
Southampton’s woes continue
Today’s defeat ensures the Saints winless-run now extends to five games, their last victory coming at the beginning of last month in what was Dean Smith’s final game as Aston Villa boss.
The visitors made a bright enough start, stifling Arsenal’s passing with intense pressure and restricting them to passages of play predominantly in their own half.
However, once the Gunners first went in Southampton looked rocked, something the hosts clearly sensed as they found the second just minutes later.
Arsenal only got better in the second half, running the Saints ragged with a number of free-flowing passing moves, striking both post as they tried to demolish their opponents.
Gabriel’s header put the game beyond any doubt, leaving Hasenhuttl’s side hovering just six points above the dreaded bottom three as we approach the busy festive fixture pile-up.
