Arsenal struck two past due objectives to flee with some degree in a pulsating 3-3 house draw with backside membership Southampton however their Premier League identify hopes suffered some other setback on a Friday evening of frazzled nerves in north London.
For a lot of a stomach-churning come upon it gave the impression Arsenal had been self-destructing of their quest to carry off Manchester City and win the league for the primary time since 2004.
They talented a target to Carlos Alcaraz after 28 seconds and had been 2–0 down within quarter-hour as former Arsenal ahead Theo Walcott fired house to stun the house crowd.
Gabriel Martinelli struck again for the Gunners after 20 mins however Ruben Selles’s Southampton refused to wilt and regained their two-goal lead within the 66th minute as replace Duje Caleta-Car headed in on the again put up.
The guests, looking for a primary win in seven league video games of their determined combat to increase their 10-year keep within the best flight, gave the look to be heading for a valuable victory.
Many Arsenal fanatics had been heading for the exits when captain Martin Odegaard curled a shot previous Gavin Bazunu within the 88th minute to throw the hosts a lifeline.
And when Bukayo Saka equalized within the ninetieth minute the stadium used to be rocking on its foundations.
With the house fanatics short of Arsenal to discover a winner, simply as they did a month in the past when getting back from two objectives down in opposition to Bournemouth, they laid siege to the Southampton target.
In 8 nailbiting mins of stoppage time Leandro Trossard hit the woodwork, fellow replace Reiss Nelson’s shot used to be deflected agonizingly vast of the put up and Gabriel Jesus used to be denied a place kick after tumbling in a congested penalty space.
There used to be to be no ultimate twist to the plot, on the other hand, and each units of gamers seemed spent on the ultimate whistle, collapsing to the turf after a draw that did little to lend a hand each side of their very other goals.
Arsenal higher their lead over reigning champions Manchester City to 5 issues forward of Wednesday’s blockbuster conflict of the highest two at The Etihad, even though City now have two video games in hand and are transparent favorites for the identify.
Southampton belied their precarious place with some brave soccer, however stay backside with 24 issues, 3 beneath the protection zone having performed a sport greater than the ones above them.
Despite the setback, Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta remained defiant. “It hasn’t changed,” he mentioned.
“Obviously the task is even bigger but now we have to do the simple things better and cut out mistakes. We made it very difficult again for ourselves but the way we reacted I love my players more than ever.”
HEALTH WARNING
Whatever occurs over the following few weeks, a well being caution must be issued to Arsenal fanatics of a worried disposition.
Winning titles is not intended to be simple, however the ultimate 3 video games have put Arsenal fanatics in the course of the wringer.
Firstly back-to-back 2-2 away attracts in opposition to Liverpool and West Ham United through which two-goal leads had been squandered, allowed City to near the distance and gave Friday’s conflict with Southampton a must-win really feel for the London membership.
Cool heads and transparent focal point had been required however as an alternative Arsenal suffered a dreadful get started with keeper Aaron Ramsdale’s informal move going immediately to Alcaraz who completed in taste.
Sloppy Arsenal then grew to become over ownership within the 14th minute and Alcaraz threaded a great move to Walcott who didn’t even spoil stride sooner than taking pictures into the nook.
Arsenal’s shell-shocked gamers collected in a huddle to regain their composure and 5 mins later the deficit used to be halved as Saka jinked to the byline and clipped again the very best move for Martinelli to comb a end previous Bazunu.
Ramsdale redeemed himself with a double save to stay out Adam Armstrong’s header and Mohamed Elyounoussi’s follow-up volley and Alcaraz then proved a thorn in Arsenal’s facet on the different finish with a miraculous goalline clearance to stay out Ben White’s header from a Saka nook.
Arsenal seemed down and out when Caleta-Car despatched Southampton’s fanatics into delirium however their barnstorming end stretched their unbeaten run to ten video games and maintained the conclusion that the identify used to be nonetheless in succeed in.