CLUB captain Jason Dodd reflected on Saturday's awesome 3-2 win over Arsenal and said: "It was just a great team effort."

The Saints right-back turned in arguably his best performance of the season to help keep Swedish left-wing dangerman Freddie Ljungberg virtually anonymous.

Dodd's display was just one of many huge pluses for Gordon Strachan.

Agustin Delgado made a full Premiership debut to remember, winning the fouls that led to James Beattie's two goals and scoring the third, while Finnish goalkeeper Antti Niemi pulled off a sensational treble save to deny Patrick Vieira.

But collectively it was Saints best result in years as the reigning double-winners were out-worked, out-played and deservedly humbled.

Dodd said: "It was hard work, especially in the last ten minutes but over the game we worked very hard and everybody in the dressing room after the game was very pleased.

"Take nothing away from Arsenal, they are the best side in the Premiership.

"Man-for-man they're better players than we are, we can't argue with that, but a lot of people did their jobs well.

"It wasn't always pretty but it was a great team effort."

Of Sol Campbell's controversial sending off, which led to the penalty that put Saints ahead, Dodd said: "The sending off didn't really help us.

"We were playing okay but, when they went down to ten, they had nothing to lose.

"They had a few chances but they are a quality side and for us to come away with a win is very pleasing."

Saints have suffered last-minute heartbreak in several games this season and Dodd's only criticism of the display was an ability to totally shut Arsenal out at 3-1 ahead.

"Maybe part of our problem was that against Arsenal we were pushing on and trying to get the fourth," he said.

"If Arsenal were 3-1 or 3-2 up they'd be killing the game.

"There was the perfect example in the last minutes when James Beattie had the ball in the corner and was trying to whip it in for Chris Marsden!

"You're not going to get too many chances playing Arsenal and leading going into the last few minutes.

"You need to kill the game and we need to learn from that. We need to close up shop and try to be tighter at the back.

"We know we can't be turned over easily. We have decent home form but we need to work on our away form."

Chris Marsden will miss the clash against his former club Birmingham on December 7.

The battling midfielder picked up his fifth booking of the season in Saturday's 3-2 win. It will also cost last season's player of the year his 100 per cent appearance record.

Referee Paul Durkin is to report Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole for bad language after the final whistle.