Arsenal thrashed bottom-placed Southampton 6-1 to leave the newly promoted Saints still searching for their first points of the season.
Arsenal struck in the 11th minute at the Emirates when Keiran Gibbs’s cross was turned in to his own net by Southampton defender Jos Hooiveld. Lukas Podolski then made it 2-0. Gervinho added Arsenal’s third 10 minutes before half-time before another Gibbs-inspired own-goal, this time by Nathaniel Clyne, made it 4-0.
There was still time in the half for Saints to get on the scoresheet when Arsenal goal-keeper Wojciech Szczesny dropped a cross and Danny Fox smashed in the loose ball. But Gervinho restored Arsenal’s four-goal lead in the 71st minute when he tapped in from close range after substitute Aaron Ramsey’s cross hit the post. And, two minutes from time, Theo Walcott scored to make it 6-1.
Scholes scores in landmark match
Manchester United veteran Paul Scholes marked his 700th appearance for the club with a goal in a 4-0 win over Wigan.
Scholes got the ball rolling for United before Javier Hernandez and debutants Alex Buttner and Nick Powell completed the scoring. United missed the chance to take an early lead when Wigan’s Ali Al Habsi saved Hernandez’s weak penalty. It was a controversial spot-kick, won after Danny Welbeck dived in the box. But after half-time Al Habsi could only weakly palm away Nani’s cross, allowing Scholes to score his 163rd goal for United.
Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke. Peter Crouch gave Stoke a 15th minute lead but City were level 10 minutes before half time when Javi Garcia scored on debut.
Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw against QPR. Aston Villa won their first league match under Paul Lambert as they ended Swansea’s unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 home win. Fulham beat West Brom 3-0 while Norwich and West Ham shared the points in a goalless draw.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2012.
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