STUART Armstrong’s keeping his feet on the ground despite Saints’ scintillating return to Premier League action.

The Scottish international scored one and created another as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team swept Norwich aside with ease during a 3-0 win at Carrow Road.

Saints will now get ready to welcome Arsenal to St Mary’s on Thursday night and Armstrong stated the importance of not getting carried away.

“It’s the first game back so we don’t want to overstate things,” the midfielder said.

“It was a very good start and it was very important we set off on the last part of our campaign with a win.

“It’s baby steps. We are very happy with Friday but now we will start focusing on the next game and take it from there.”

Although Armstrong enjoyed the convincing win, he described the experience of playing behind closed doors as ‘strange’.

The only noise to greet all three of Saints’ goals came from the bench and even that felt hollow compared to what it would have been like if the away end was packed out.

And Armstrong’s hoping supporters are back inside stadiums sooner rather than later.

Reflecting on the experience, the goalscorer said: “It was strange.

“Without fans it was always going to be weird because there wasn’t any noise.

“It’s one of those things that you aren’t used to, but we are back playing football and that’s the important part.

“As soon as fans can come back to make football what it is will hopefully happen soon.”

Danny Ings and Nathan Redmond scored either side of Armstrong’s strike to all but guarantee the club’s Premier League safety for another season.

But Saints will have the chance to reach the mythical 40-point mark at home to Arsenal on Thursday.

The Gunners will arrive at St Mary’s on the back of two defeats against Manchester City and relegation battlers Brighton.

Both sides were able to expose vulnerabilities in Arsenal’s defence which will no doubt boost Ings’ confidence ahead of the tie.

Although Armstrong’s erring on the side of caution, he’s backing Saints’ star striker to come up trumps on Thursday if an opportunity arises.

“Danny’s a terrific striker and he’s shown that he doesn’t need many chances to put it in the back of the net,” Armstrong added.

“It was a beautiful finish and he’s done that time and time again this season.

“I’m sure he’ll want to add to his tally on Thursday.”

When asked if Ings will be able to spot a weakness in the Gunners’ defence, Armstrong said: “I’m sure he will.”