ART OF WAR Mikel Arteta spotted checking his ‘dark arts’ notepad with THREE main principles during Arsenal’s win over Southampton

Arsenal secured a 3-1 home win against the Premier League's basement boys on Saturday to keep his side hot on the tails of Man City and Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta was spotted checking his 'dark arts' notepad on Saturday

The tactical instructions paid off as Arsenal beat Southampton 3-1

The Gunners came from behind to secure all three points thanks to strikes from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.

And Arsenal have now won their last four in all competitions while remaining unbeaten.

However, Arteta may have to rethink his tactics for the next match at Bournemouth.

The Spaniard loves to make scribbles on tactical plans before and during matches.

And unfortunately for Arteta, his latest notes were caught in broad daylight at the Emirates.

One piece of paper, with a red header and footer, appeared to show positions on the field with various instructions.

However, it was difficult to make out what exactly it said, with the black ink written on the other side.

Yet another note was clearer to see.

And it appeared to outline Arteta's three "principles" to beating Southampton.

The first note read: "Force AR 6 yard."

One piece of paper was hard to decipher

The other showed several instructions, including one that may have targeted Aaron Ramsdale

It is unclear what exactly this meant.

But it could be interpreted as instructions to make Saints goalie and former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale play on the edge of his six-yard box.

Arteta's next two "principles" were harder to gauge due to his fingers blocking the final words.

One read: "Force our…"

And the second added: "Avoid switch…"

Below, there was another section to Arteta's masterplan.

One note said: "Throw ins. Who takes it?"

While the second said "right" before being cut off by Arteta's fingers.

After the game, the Spaniard praised his Arsenal players for their resilient performance.

He said: "Saka has the capacity to change and decide games.

"If we want to be at the top, sometimes players have to create those moments and he's done that again.

"What he is doing at his age is unbelievable — and when the team needs him. That's what defines a top player."

On Havertz, Arteta added: "He wants more. He's not satisfied. There is still another level from him.

"He's surrounded by incredible players but something has changed in him. You really sense that confidence in him.

"Now he's putting it in games and he's winning matches, which is great. He's an attacking midfielder, he's a nine, you don't know where he is.

"That's his football brain. His focus is, 'I'm going to win the game, I'm going do it'."