Premier League

SOUTHAMPTON 1 (S Armstrong 65)
ARSENAL 1 (Xhaka 11)

MIKEL Arteta said Arsenal needed “more courage” this afternoon (Sunday) following their 1-1 draw at Southampton.

The Gunners will feel disappointed leaving St Mary’s with just a point after dominating the majority of the first half but failing to convert their chances and allowing the Saints to get back into the game.

This is only the second time this season the north Londoners have failed to pick up all three points in the Premier League – the other a 3-1 defeat at Manchester United in September.

After the game, Arteta said: “I think we were really, really good in the first half and totally controlled the game. We created big chances that we didn’t convert and in the Premier League unfortunately when you don’t do that you can pay the price.

“In the second half we had some difficulties. We gave ourselves problems, the amount of giveaways we had especially when in possession didn’t allow us to control the game the way we wanted.

“We should have more courage, more consistency and be more reliable in ball possession and dominate the game better when we have total control of it.”

Arsenal took the lead early in the first half thanks to Granit Xhaka, who smashed a right-footed half-volley into the roof of the net following good build-up play between Ben White and Bukayo Saka.

Smelling blood, the Gunners probed Southampton’s defence on multiple occasions but failed to add to their opening goal. The closest they came was when Gabriel Jesus tested Gavin Bazunu in the home goal with a well hit volley.

The Brazilian striker was also denied a penalty after appearing to be hauled down in the box by Duje Caleta-Car – referee Robert Jones simply waving play to go on.

In the second half Arsenal looked jaded, allowing Southampton to work their way back into the game. And their efforts paid off just after the hour mark when Stuart Armstrong’s composed finish pulled the scores level following good work from Mohamed Elyounoussi.

The visitors thought they had stolen the three points late on when Martin Odegaard slammed Kieran Tierney’s cutback into the back of the net – but the goal was ruled out by the linesman who flagged for the ball going out of play before it was crossed in.

Southampton: Bazunu, Lyanco, Caleta-Car, Salisu, Perraud, Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse, Diallo, S Armstrong (Edozie, 80), A Armstrong (Walcott, 73), Aribo (Adams, 73)
Substitutes not used: McCarthy, Larios, Payne, Finnigan, Djenepo, Mara

Arsenal: Ramsdale, White (Tierney, 72), Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Xhaka, Partey, Saka, Odegaard (Vieira, 83), Martinelli (Nketiah, 71), Jesus
Substitutes not used: Turner, Cedric, Holding, Lokonga, Nelson, Marquinhos