Arsenal recorded another memorable afternoon at the Emirates as the Gunners beat Southampton in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta watched his side keep their unbeaten start to the 2024/25 calendar intact on match day seven of the Premier League campaign.
Just like week six, things weren’t made easy for Arsenal, who were handed a scare by a newly promoted side once again.
Southampton took the lead in the second half through Cameron Archer, before Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka ensured three points remained in North London.
Cedric Soares in attendance for Arsenal’s win over Southampton
It was a special day at the Emirates for reasons aside from the win, as Aaron Ramsdale returned to N5 for the first time following his summer transfer.
Ramsdale was given a warm welcome by Arsenal fans, which reduced him to tears in a special moment for the goalkeeper.
The Englishman wasn’t the only former Gunner to be at the Emirates on the day, as Cedric Soares was in attendance in the stands.
Like Ramsdale, Cedric also represented both Arsenal and Southampton during his Premier League career, with the defender now a free agent after leaving North London in the summer.
The 33-year-old was welcomed back to the Emirates in style by Arteta and Edu Gasper, who handed the Portugal international a framed shirt in a special gesture to commemorate his time at Arsenal.
Cedric left Southampton to join Arteta’s project on an initial loan in 2020, ending his association with the Gunners in the summer after making 64 appearances.
Classy gesture from Edu and Arteta towards Cedric
Cedric left Arsenal as a player whose ship had sailed from the Emirates long before his official departure.
That didn’t stop Arteta and Edu from giving the defender the celebration he deserved, awarding the free agent a classy parting gift on his return to N5.
It’s a show of the unity that Arteta has implemented at Arsenal, with the club ensuring that players past and present feel the part they played in the project that has steered the Gunners to where they are today.
Cedric took to Instagram to describe his ‘amazing’ return to the Emirates, thanking Arteta and Edu for the gift they presented the 33-year-old with after the victory.
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