 Arsenal created their first chance inside 24 seconds , when Ljungberg put Henry clear down the right @-@ hand side . The striker used his pace to get the better of <unk> , only to have his shot blocked by goalkeeper Antti Niemi . Bergkamp 's goal effort in the eighth minute was cleared off the line by full back Chris Baird , after Niemi fumbled Henry 's initial shot . Southampton fashioned their first opportunity in the 15th minute through a high cross ; in spite of unsettling the Arsenal defence , the unmarked Svensson volleyed over the bar . Baird moments after won the ball in midfield and curled a shot that left Seaman " scrambling across his goal to save " . Seven minutes before the break , Arsenal went into the lead . Henry , receiving the ball from Parlour , slipped it into Bergkamp down the right . He in turn fed the ball to Ljungberg , whose shot was blocked . The ball rebounded in the direction of Pirès , who needed one touch to set himself and another to fire at the near post , despite Niemi getting a hand . Arsenal missed further chances to extend their lead when a cross from the right by Henry was shot over the bar by Pirès and from the same area , Bergkamp 's " cross @-@ cum @-@ shot " was missed by Ljungberg . 
