The Premier League returned this weekend and with it, a healthy dose of Arsenal-induced heart attacks.

In the end, it could be argued that Arsenal won a game they probably wouldn’t have last season and did so with a huge slice of luck. But that’s life, or, rather, football, and it’s nice to be on the right end of that sort of circumstance.

So what did we learn?

Some of the press are frothing to label Lucas a flop

Lucas didn’t enjoy the most lively of debuts, but given he’s playing in a new country in a new league and with a team of players, many of which he only met a day or two ago due to international duty, who weren’t playing that well either, he hardly warrants singling out.

This might seem like an innocuous tweet, but it’s not. It’s from a Times journalist and it lays a foundation on which they will gleeful build should he not rock the world in his next game.

They did the same with Giroud and look how he is treated four years after his debut.

Bobby Madley is an awful referee

Yes, he might have given us the penalty that won the game, and for that we will be eternally grateful, but how much did he miss?

For a start, there was the foul on Shane Long in the build up. Then there was leaving Laurent Kocielny lying on the floor for an age while he clearly had a head injury. There was the constant niggly fouls and incredibly lightweight Saints players falling to the pitch at any given opportunity.

Plus, Forster….

Koscielny gets the best and worst birthday presents

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on September 10, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on September 10, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

A goal that any world class striker would be living off for years (Rooney’s against Manchester City was a total scuff and he’s undroppable because of it) and a kick in the face.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal reacts after getting a injury during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on September 10, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal reacts after getting a injury during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on September 10, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

His face will heal. And the goal videos will remain. Overall that’s a positive return for the birthday boy.

Santi is a small man but a massive player

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Santi Cazorla of Arsenal celebrates scoring his sides second goal with team mates during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on September 10, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Santi Cazorla of Arsenal celebrates scoring his sides second goal with team mates during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on September 10, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

We didn’t learn this on Saturday, but it needed mentioned again. An absolutely epic performance from the little magician and the nerve he showed after the long wait before his penalty was what we’ve been crying out for from the spot for a long time.

Mesut Ozil is human

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Dusan Tadic of Southampton (R) is tugged by Mesut Ozil of Arsenal (L) during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on September 10, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Dusan Tadic of Southampton (R) is tugged by Mesut Ozil of Arsenal (L) during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on September 10, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

If you had to rate Mesut Ozil’s performance against Southampton out of 10, you’d probably give him the lowest rating he’s ever had in an Arsenal shirt. It was an afternoon to forget for the German. Luckily, he’s awesome so often, it will be quickly forgotten – by Arsenal fans at least, if not the media.