Mikel Arteta described Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Southampton as “a lesson” as the Gunners dropped points for only the second time this season at St Mary’s.
Stuart Armstrong ended the team’s run of form to earn Southampton a share of the spoils and extend Saints’ unbeaten league run to three matches.
Granit Xhaka gave the Gunners an early lead with his second goal in as many games, sweeping the ball into the roof of the net first-time from Ben White’s low delivery.
“It hurts because we wanted to win again,” Arteta told BBC Match of the Day afterwards. “Credit to Southampton too. No complaints.”
A fired-up Gabriel Martinelli shot wide and Gabriel Jesus was denied by Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazono as the visitors threatened to double their advantage before the break.
Ralf Hessenhuttel’s side improved in the second half but it took a brilliant last-ditch challenge from Alvinosi to deny Jesus, who broke through Southampton’s defence.
Martin Odegaard thought he had put Arsenal back in front shortly after Armstrong equalised, but the Norwegian’s effort was disallowed after the ball went out of play in the build-up.
“We created big chances that we didn’t waste,” Arteta said. “In the Premier League, when you don’t do that when you’re on top, you can pay the price.
“We were really good in the first half and completely controlled the game. In the second half we stopped doing the simple things right. We found ourselves with problems with gift money, especially in possession.
“We finished the game on top and we tried to score the second goal, but we didn’t get it.”
The result leaves Arteta’s side two points behind second-placed Manchester City, while Saints remain in 15th – three points clear of the relegation zone.
Arsenal Crashed Out After a Brilliant Start
The Gunners suffered a 1-0 defeat at St Mary’s last season, but looked on course to claim their 10th league victory of the campaign after taking an early lead on the south coast.
Odegaard curled a shot wide of Xhaka inside 10 minutes, but the Switzerland international made no mistake with White’s accurate right-wing cross moments later.
Southampton became more ambitious as the half wore on but Arsenal, who have won their last 18 Premier League games after opening the scoring, continued to pose a greater threat in the final third and Martinelli and Jesus added to their lead. They came close.
Jesus’ failure to get his own shot off before Elivonosi’s goal-saving challenge proved costly, as Southampton rallied to claim a deserved share of the spoils courtesy of Armstrong’s composed finish.
There were some complaints from the visitors when Odegaard’s powerful strike was chalked off Kieran Tierney’s cut-back, with replays clearly showing the Scotland full-back got the ball behind before wrapping his foot around it. had gone
The stalemate is Arsenal’s first in 28 Premier League matches – since a goalless draw at home to Burnley in January.
Southampton Stage Impressive Recovery
Apart from Lianko’s optimistic long-range effort and a flurry of corners towards the end of the half, Southampton failed to trouble Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale before the break.
Hasenhuttl’s side struggled to cope with the visitors’ energy and imagination, particularly in the early stages, but a switch from a back four to a back five midway through the half helped stem the flow of Arsenal’s attacks.
It was a much more even contest in the second period – although clear chances were few and far between until Armstrong equalised.
The Scotland midfielder kept his composure to calmly slot the ball past Ramsdale after some great play from Elivonosi to pick out his team-mate on the edge of the penalty area.
A 4-0 defeat at Manchester City earlier this month – Saints’ fourth in a row in the Premier League – had increased the scrutiny on manager Hessen Hittle, but a third consecutive game without defeat has helped ease the pressure. .
“We were lucky in the first half to only be one goal down,” Hessen Huttle told BBC Sport. “Then, you see what happens when you believe.
“We had some problems at the start with form, but we made some changes and it was much better. Considering we were 1-0 down, it’s a good result.”
Saints have picked up eight points from dropping positions in the league this season – only Crystal Palace have collected more after falling behind.
