The Gunners were 5-0 up after just half-an-hour as 20-year-old Pennant, making his first Premiership start, was joined on the scoresheet by a double strike from Robert Pires, before Jo Tessem pulled a goal back.

If Gordon Strachan thought that was bad enough, worse was to follow. For there were still 19 minutes left before half-time when Pennant completed his hat-trick.

Henry tormented what passed for the Southampton defence before setting up the right-sided midfielder, who finished with aplomb.

Strachan had seen enough. Off came Fernandes, with Baird sent on to help shield a reformed back three, with Wayne Bridge and Paul Telfer now acting as wing-backs.

At least it stemmed the tide, enabling Southampton to recover enough to hit back when Tessem sneaked ahead of the lumbering Stepanovs to convert Bridge’s low cross.

Arsenal may have relaxed on their lead, Henry was nevertheless still brushing past markers with almost embarrassing ease.