ARSENAL were denied a win on the south coast despite opening the scoring against Southampton at St Mary’s.
Inform Xhaka had put the Gunners ahead in the first-half as Mikel Arteta’s side were in control going into the break.
However, Stuart Armstrong cancelled out the opener and it was the Saints who pushed for a win late on.
The result sees Arsenal stay on top of the Premier League, but Man City have closed the gap to the leaders.
- RESULT: Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
- TV/Live stream: Sky Sports Premier League
- Southampton XI: Bazunu, Caleta-Car, Lyanco, Salisu, Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse, Diallo, Perraud, S Armstrong, Aribo, A Armstrong
- Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Xhaka, Partey, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Jesus
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Arteta annoyed at points dropped
Mikel Arteta will feel his side dropped two points today against Southampton.
They entertain Nottingham Forest at The Emirates before a tricky trip to Stamford Bridge awaits them.
Meanwhile, Southampton travel to Crystal Palace to look to build upon their positive results of late before the welcome Newcastle to St Mary’s.
Credit: PA Premier League tighter than ever
Southampton move into 15th place with the point they gained from today’s game, leaving them two points clear of the bottom three.
With Leicester, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest all winning this weekend there is only six points between Brighton in 9th place and the relegation places.
Arsenal meanwhile have a two point gap from Man City in 2nd place.
Saint wins plaudits for performance
Elyounoussi was awarded the man of the match award today.
He gave Tomiyasu a torrid time down the right wing.
Brilliant attacking play to lay it into the path of Armstrong to get that all important equaliser today.
A game of two halves
Arsenal dominated the first half and Southampton didn’t seem capable of breaking down the visitor’s attacks let alone getting forward themselves.
Whatever Ralph Hasenhuttl said at half time did the trick and The Saints looked a completely different side in the second half.
Their tactics and approach play seemed to neutralise Arsenal and they were unlucky not to find a second goal to take all three points.
FT: Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
The referee brings the game to an end.
Huge cheer from the home crowd.
They will take this, holding the league leaders to a draw.
Credit: Getty Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
90+4. Arsenal do not look like the confident side that were taking the game to Southampton right now.
They are struggling to contain The Saints.
Arteta will take a point right now.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
90+2. Viera gifts the ball to Walcott.
As The Saints look to break the ball to Ward-Prowse is given straight back to The Gunners.
Lyanco is booked for an altercation with Nketiah.
Lucky boy as he flashed his head at the Arsenal player before gripping his throat.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal – Walcott yellow card
90. Walcott goes on a run through the heart of the Arsenal defence.
As he goes passed Gabriel he goes to ground.
The referee blows his whistle but much to the surprise of the home crowd he then gives Walcott a yellow card for simulation.
Replays show it was a great call by the official.
We are going to have five additional minutes added.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
88. If this game does finish a draw, it is a far more positive result for Southampton as they look to build on their midweek win.
Edozie has looked lively for The Saints since coming on.
Arsenal are looking a bit leggy in defence now.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
86. Southampton are streaming forward at will.
The home faithful are really getting behind them.
Viera wins a free kick for Arsenal in the centre of the park.
Credit: Sportimage Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
84. Arsenal are trying desperately to find another goal.
They are facing a different Southampton to the one from the first half however.
The Gunners concede another corner for the dangerous James Ward-Prowse to take.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
82. This game really could go either way.
Arteta brings Viera on for Odegaard.
What chances of Walcott getting a winner against his old club.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
80. Tierney gets the byline, sliding to keep it in as he crosses in one motion.
Odegaard arrives to smash the ball home.
The linesman has his flag up.
Great spot to see the ball was out of play before Tierney crossed.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
78. One of Arteta’s backroom staff is shown a yellow card by the referee.
He threw a bottle in dissent after giving the fourth official a tirade of abuse.
Not sure how that works as he returns to his seat on the bench.
Pretty sure he should be in the stands right now.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
76. Lyanco does well to deal with the threat of Nketiah down the left.
The fresh legs of the Arsenal sub causing the defender problems.
He manages to flick the ball up and volley it clear.
Credit: Getty
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
74. This is a much better game now.
Southampton are causing Arsenal far more problems in this half.
A completely difference to the first half for both sides.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
72. Martinelli and White come off for Arsenal.
Replaced by Tierney and Nketiah.
Arteta looking to change the flow of this second half.
Che Adams comes on for Joe Aribo.
Theo Walcott comes on for Adam Armstrong.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal – Aribo chance
70. It is one way traffic at the moment.
The ball finds Aribo in the box who turns trying to find an angle to shoot.
He gets his shot off through a sea of players but Ramsdale saves well.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
68. That goal has changed the atmosphere here.
Southampton are on the front foot now.
Tomiyasu is being targeted by Elyounoussi with the high press and wins the ball from the full-back.
As The Saints attack Perraud shoots with his shot just missing the upright.
Credit: Getty Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
66. Fantastic play by Elyounoussi down the right.
Running at Tomiyasu, he cuts inside and feeds a ball through the Arsenal defence for Armstrong.
He neatly tucks the ball passed Ramsdale.
Goal – Stuart Armstrong (Southampton)
Southampton 0-1 Arsenal
64. Jesus is looking for the referee to protect him more.
He has spent more time on the turf than his feet in this second half.
Neither keeper has really been tested in this half so far.
Southampton 0-1 Arsenal
62. Southampton are passing the ball around with more confidence.
Hasenhuttl is barking orders from the touchline.
They are still in this game, they just need to find a goal.
Southampton 0-1 Arsenal
60. Arsenal break on the counter.
Odegaard plays it into the path of Jesus.
He seems set to be clear through on goal but Elyounoussi makes a great challenge to stop the Brazilian.
Credit: PA Southampton 0-1 Arsenal
58. Arteta takes advantage of Gabriel’s treatment to give some orders to his players.
He does not seem happy with the start they have made to the half.
Southampton are trying to make something happen.
A ball into the box evades the Arsenal centre backs but Elyounoussi cannot react to the ball dropping at his feet.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
