PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG saved a point but Arsenal failed to salvage any pride from another lame duck performance.
And the club’s rapidly deteriorating disciplinary record took another turn for the worse when defender Gabriel was sent off.
Arsenal celebrate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s equaliser in the second half at the EmiratesCredit: Getty Images
Theo Walcott celebrates after giving Southampton the lead against his former clubCredit: Guardian News & Media
He now joins Granit Xhaka, Hector Bellerin and Nicolas Pepe on the naughty list of Arsenal players to get a red card this season.
And the nature of the dismissal sums up this performance as the culmination of growing frustration at the dismal season that is unfolding for them.
Gabriel picked up two yellow cards in four minutes in the second half just as Arsenal were gaining a foothold having gone behind to a goal from old boy Theo Walcott on 18 minutes.
The first was for an act of petulance in throwing the ball away at a free-kick.
The ex-Arsenal striker chipped Bernd Leno to fire the Saints in frontCredit: AP:Associated Press
Walcott finished brilliantly before running off to celebrate on his old stomping groundCredit: AP:Associated Press
Failing to take heed of the warning he was then given his marching orders for a foul on Walcott – leaving his team to hang on for a much-needed point with ten men for almost half an hour.
Despite Aubamayeng scoring his first goal for Arsenal since November 1 and his team’s first in open play for 13 hours and 17 minutes, there is little relief at this result.
High-flying Saints dominated the first half in particular and went ahead with their first attack of the match.
Che Adams easily shrugged off simultaneous tackles from Gabriel and Mohamed Elneny to thread a ball through for Walcott to race onto.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang levelled in the second half to end his goal droughtCredit: AFP
The Gabon striker scored for the first time in open play since September 12Credit: Andy Hooper
The former Gunners forward, who once held the club sprint record over 40 minutes, burst clear and calmly lifted the ball over and around keeper Bernd Leno.
It is his first goal against the team where he spent 12 years since leaving them in January 2018.
Aubameyang levelled as the final part of a three man move involving Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah.
And the ten men Gunners spent large parts of the second half clinging on for a point to avoid a fifth successive home loss.
Gabriel was sent off for a second bookable offenceCredit: PA:Press Association
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
