THERE was much to admire from Ronald Koeman’s Saints last night, not least debutant Sadio Mane.

If Saints have lacked anything in the last couple of seasons it is out-and-out pace, but the Senegalese provided that in abundance against Arsenal at the Emirates.

Back in London for the first time since helping Senegal reach the Olympic quarter-finals at London 2012, Mane was a big factor in taking Saints to within one game of the Capital One Cup’s last eight.

The 22-year-old’s attacking verve gave Koeman’s side an exciting new dimension, an outlet that will threaten the best defenders in the Premier League during the course of the season.

Winger Mane began on the right flank but after swapping with Dusan Tadic, he soon made an impact on the left by winning the penalty from which his fellow wide-man stroked in the 20th-minute equaliser.

Mane was only just getting into third gear when he was fouled by Rosicky, who dived in unnecessarily before Tadic netted Saints' first penalty of the season.

The wide man would have created more havoc had he not been up against Arsenal’s fastest player.

Mane’s battle with Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin was a terrific contest.

Bellerin showed why he is the fastest player in the Gunners’ squad, having broken Theo Walcott’s 40m sprint time since his move from Barcelona’s youth set-up three years ago.

The 19 year-old made up several yards before getting in a goal-saving tackle after Graziano Pelle’s first-time pass had sent Mane clear in search of Saints’ second.

After a slick exchange of passes with Morgan Schneiderlin, Mane headed for the byline before Bellerin once again got the better of him. Arguably Saints’ quickest player since Theo Walcott, he is the sort of player who puts bums on seats and get bums off seats.

If there is a criticism of Saints’ £12m deadline-day signing from Red Bull Salzburg, it is that he went to ground a little too easily on occasion. But he was never shy to run at Arsenal in his pursuit of the byline and will soon get used to the cut and thrust of English football.

He did not let up in the second half last night.

A delightful interchange with Matt Targett proved to be the start of a memorable move that ended with Steven Davis’s shot being saved following Tadic’s cute pass.

Mane’s trickery nearly led to a third Saints goal on more than one occasion. After he was fouled by Abou Diaby, Tadic’s free-kick was beaten away by a diving Ospina.

And his performance was nearly capped by a goal of his own. Pelle's pass completed another mesmerising move which ended with Mane shooting from an acute angle beyond the far post.

Judging by the standing ovation he received from the 5,000-plus away supporters when he was replaced with 20 minutes left, Saints have a new fans' favourite.