Aaron Ramsdale’s error after 27 SECONDS set tone for epic Arsenal vs Southampton first half

Aaron Ramsdale gifted Southampton an opening goal at the Emirates Stadium, after his mistake allowed Carlos Alcaraz to score for Southampton inside the first 27 seconds – and the action didn’t stop there

Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after scoring for Southampton against Arsenal (

Image: Getty Images)

Gary Neville described Arsenal’s start as “very nervy” after the Premier League leaders fell behind inside the first 27 seconds of their game against Southampton on Friday.

Carlos Alcaraz gave Saints the lead after a disastrous pass from Aaron Ramsdale. The Arsenal goalkeeper tried to feed the ball into midfield, but instead it was intercepted by Alcaraz, who took a touch before slotting into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

It was a terrific finish from the Argentine – and put Arsenal immediately under the cosh as they tried to bounce back from their 2-2 draw at West Ham last weekend. Speaking after Alcaraz’s strike, Neville compared the situation to that of David de Gea for his mistake against Sevilla in the Europa League.

Neville said on co-commentary for Sky Sports: “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.”

Aaron Ramsdale gifted Southampton the lead inside the opening 27 seconds (

Image:

Getty Images)

Southampton were buoyed from their impressive start and doubled their advantage in the 14th minute through ex-Gunner Theo 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.