Ralph Hasenhuttl records first Saints win to end Arsenal's unbeaten run
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A late goal by substitute Charlie Austin gave relegation-threatened Southampton a thrilling 3-2 victory over Arsenal on Sunday in new Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuettl's first home game.
It was the Londoners' first defeat in 23 games and meant they lost ground on fourth-placed Chelsea, while Southampton moved out of the bottom three.
Danny Ings, back after injury, headed two fine goals in the first half from equally good crosses by Matt Targett and Nathan Redmond.
In between, Mkhitaryan drew Arsenal level with a header of his own and early in the second half he scored via a big deflection.
Yet in the 85th minute Austin, who had come on for the tiring Ings, headed in a cross by Shane Long.
The win sent Southampton above Burnley into 17th place while Arsenal remained fifth in the table. Reuters
Preview
What time does it start?
Southampton vs Arsenal kicks off at 1:30pm (GMT)
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports’ Premier League and Main event channels from 12:30pm. Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the game via the Sky Go app.
The match will also be available on NOW TV by grabbing a day pass for just £7.99.
Highlights will be shown at 10:15pm on BBC Two.
Player to watch…
Laurent Koscielny: The 33-year-old returned to first-team action on Thursday following his Achilles injury which had kept him out of action since May. The Arsenal captain was largely untroubled by the Qarabag attack but he may face a tougher test against the likes of Charlie Austin when they travel to the south coast. The Gunners have won just once at St Mary’s in their last six visits, conceding 10 goals in the process, and despite Southampton’s plight this season history is certainly on the side of the Saints.
Form guide…
Southampton: DLLDLL
Arsenal: WWWDWW
Odds…
Southampton to win: 14/5
Arsenal to win: 19/20
Draw: 14/5
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal, 68 minutes
Southampton try their hardest to hand Arsenal the lead, with Alex McCarthy forced to rush out and lucky that his clearance rebounds away from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off of Alexandre Lacazette.
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal, 69 minutes
A second change for Arsenal as they look for a winner, and here comes Mesut Ozil.
Alex Iwobi jogs off.
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal, 71 minutes
Southampton make their own alteration.
Danny Ings wasn't fully fit coming into this game but has had quite the productive 70 minutes. Two goals, and plenty of running.
Wearily he hugs his replacement Charlie Austin. Can Austin find a winner for Southampton?
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal, 73 minutes
Ainsley Maitland-Niles will be Arsenal's final change.
Stephan Lichtsteiner is the latest Arsenal defender to pick up a knock. Unai Emery will hope it isn't too serious. Laurent Koscielny has been limping for most of the game, too.
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal, 75 minutes
Southampton lead!
Or do they?
The flag is up!
Bernd Leno just about keeps out an initial header and Southampton scramble home the rebound.
But as the first header was one a Southampton player has strayed offside and he is correctly flagged as such, halting their celebrations.
So nearly...
Brighton 1-2 Chelsea, 77 minutes
Stuart Attwell has had a hit-and-miss game with the whistle in hand at the Amex, and Dale Stephens is fortunate to escape punishment after a very firm challenge on Eden Hazard.
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal, 78 minutes
Alexandre Lacazette is just offside from Henrikh Mkhitaryan's cross, but Alex McCarthy isn't to know that, reacting quickly to save superbly with his left leg.
It could go either way, this one.
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal, 80 minutes
Bernd Leno comes out to get a punch to a Southampton corner, and Arsenal have men pouring forward on the break.
It isn't he most fluent passage of football but they do finally work the chance, Matteo Guendouzi letting fly from 20 yards.
It is blocked and spins towards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who can't quite divert it towards goal sliding in from the right wing.
Brighton 1-2 Chelsea, 83 minutes
Eden Hazard receives an ovation from the travelling Chelsea support. Another excellent (and at the moment match-winning) performance from the Belgian. Olivier Giroud is his replacement.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek joined proceeding a littlee earlier and has been prominent since coming on, carrying the ball through the Brighton defence impressively on a couple of a occasions already.
GOAL! Southampton 3-2 Arsenal (Charlie Austin, 85 minutes)
Have Southampton snatched it?
Shane Long finds space down the right and gets his head up.
Charlie Austin is charging forward down the opposite side and extends his hand up, knowing he's got the run on the Arsenal defence.
Long's diagonal floated pass is perfectly weighted, though Bernd Leno doesn't cover himself in glory, rushing out and getting nowhere near it, allowing Austin the simplest of headers into the empty net to send St Mary's wild.
Southampton may be on their way to a huge home win...
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