Every now and then, this Arsenal team can give you the impression you are watching one of their great sides from Arsene Wenger’s past. Moments such as Jack Wilshere attempting an audacious chip on nine minutes, a chance which had Artur Boruc scrambling to retrieve the ball gratefully after it had rebounded off the post.

It deserved a goal, but it was the swagger of the move that would have had Thierry Henry or Dennis Bergkamp nodding in approval. Or the move that ended in Mesut Ozil playing in Aaron Ramsey and the Welshman attempting the most outrageous of back-heels — he connected with the ball in mid-air — that ended up hitting a post.

Ramsey’s revival mirrors Arsenal’s own. The very fact that he has the confidence to try such a trick indicates there has been a substantial change in both.

There is a confidence bordering on arrogance, a sign that they might emulate those sides of old. ‘Well, we have a long way to go to do that,’ said Wenger afterwards. ‘But we have the ambition to do it. The focus, the concentration and the desire are there. We played against a good Southampton side and although we couldn’t take our chances we took advantage of their mistakes.’

You wondered how they might fare after their defeat at Old Trafford, especially against an excellent Southampton side. ‘I’m convinced that the character is tested after a defeat like that,’ said Wenger. ‘Can you win when you have to straight away after a big defeat? That was really at stake for us.’ The early signs were not good. Before that Wilshere chance, Arsenal could barely get out of their half, so intensely do this Southampton team press the ball.

Indeed, the quality and industry of their front four in Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez, Adam Lallana and James Ward-Prowse is something to behold. Rodriguez had struggled on his England debut a week ago, not so here. He refused to concede any cause as lost.

Southampton under Mauricio Pochettino are an extraordinarily well-drilled unit and a pleasure to watch. They were even compared to Barcelona by Terry Venables on Saturday, due to their habit of passing the ball out from the back come what may. Still, there are limits to playing a beautiful, passing game and goalkeeper Boruc found them in the 22nd minute.

Collecting a simple back pass from Nathaniel Clyne, he dallied on the ball. But even when Olivier Giroud pressed him, he had time to clear. Instead, he attempted a back-heel and a Cruyff turn.

Giroud simply poked his toe in, muscled him off the ball and was able to score into an open goal. It was a chastening experience for Boruc, who complained in vain to referee Mark Clattenburg, but he did not receive any chastisement from his manager. ‘It’s the way that we play, that’s what I demand of him, that’s the style we play,’ said Pochettino. ‘It’s just a bad day and it happens. Footballers don’t really need to apologise to their team-mates. You can have amazing days or you can have bad days, as happened to him.’

Giroud’s all-round performance merited his two goals. ‘Olivier’s a positive character who is always ready for a battle,’ said Wenger. ‘He is different to the rest of the team but gives us so much with his physical presence and with his link play, which he has improved tremendously.’ Just like the old days, in fact. Still, Southampton were not cowed. They continued to pass, they continued to press the ball with unbounded energy and they continued to create problems for Arsenal.

Lallana had a dipping shot on 33 minutes that Wojciech Szczesny tipped over. Rodgriuez controlled the ball delightfully on 40 minutes, flicking it up to shoot at Szczesny, who saved well, with Lallana picking up the rebound but shooting across the face of goal. Southampton regrouped after the break, the speed of their counter attacks always threatening. Morgan Schneiderlin fed Lallana on 52 minutes but the England player’s ferocious shot was directed straight at Szczesny.

Nevertheless, Arsenal remained largely in control. They impose their authority on games now in a manner unrecognisable from the fragile teams of the past few seasons. The back four, in particular, look well drilled and solid. Per Mertesacker’s return was notable. Theo Walcott returned after seven weeks out, indicating some strength in depth. That said, they could not take the points for granted until their 86th-minute penalty, needlessly conceded by Jose Fonte for pulling Mertesacker’s shirt from a corner.

Giroud simply smashed the penalty home, his 10th of the season, and Arsenal fans could finally give full voice to those confident chants about being top of the league.

—Daily Mail