Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the season with an emphatic win over Southampton at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.

The hosts went ahead on 11 minutes when Kieran Gibbs's low shot deflected in off Jos Hooiveld for an own goal via a decent parry from unfortunate goalkeeper Kelvin Davis.

Lukas Podolski doubled the lead 20 minutes later with a powerful 25-yard free kick.

Gervinho then further extended the Gunners' advantage on 35 minutes with a calm finish from eight yards.

Saints full-back Nathaniel Clyne put through his own net moments later, before Danny Fox capitalised on a mistake by Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny to pull one back in first-half stoppage time.

Arsenal seemed to take their foot off the gas after the break, although they managed to find the net twice more.

Gervinho tapped home from very close range on 71 minutes, before Theo Walcott completed the scoring two minutes from time.