Gervinho's brace helped Arsenal to an impressive Barclays Premier League victory against Southampton.

The visitors failed to deal with Arsenal's pace and directness – epitomised as early as the 11th minute as Jos Hooiveld accidentally put into his own net.

Lukas Podolski bent in a 25-yard free-kick as the onslaught continued, before Gervinho rifled home and Nathaniel Clyne netted an own goal to make it 4-0 inside 37 minutes.

Wojciech Szczesny's clanger denied his side a fourth successive clean sheet to start the season as the returning Poland international flapped at a cross late in the first half and Danny Fox lashed home.

It proved a mere consolation, though, as Gervinho and former Southampton winger Theo Walcott netted in a more even second period to condemn Nigel Adkins' side to a fourth league defeat.

Arsenal capitalised on the visitors' early ineptitude as Podolski took possession in the middle and played through Kieran Gibbs, whose low effort squirmed through Kelvin Davis' legs and was inadvertently turned home by Hooiveld.

Adkins was forced into his first change after 28 minutes, bringing on Maya Yoshida for his debut in place of Hooiveld, who had been struggling with a calf injury this week.

The Japan defender could do nothing, though, to prevent Podolski scoring three minutes later.

After Francis Coquelin was upended, the Germany international exquisitely sent a 25-yard free-kick over the wall into the top corner.

It was soon three when Gervinho connected with an excellent Mikel Arteta dink over the top and things got worse for the visitors with a second own goal – this time Clyne the unfortunate party.

Szczesny then fumbled a high cross from the right under pressure from Rickie Lambert, allowing Fox to lash home on the stroke of half-time.

Buoyed by the response, Adkins brought on record signing Gaston Ramirez for his debut in place of Steven Davis. But despite a more composed display from the visitors, Gervinho's tap-in and another strike by substitute Walcott capped a fine day for Arsenal.