Southampton vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from St. Mary's Stadium
Granit Xhaka scored a superb early goal but Premier League leaders Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton on Sunday as Stuart Armstrong netted a deserved second-half equaliser for the home side.
The result moved Arsenal to 28 points from 11 games, two ahead of second-placed Manchester City, while Southampton are 15th with 12 points from 12 games.
The visitors looked untouchable in the opening 15 minutes as they launched wave after wave of attacks on the home goal, and were rewarded with an excellent opener from Xhaka, who also netted their winner in the midweek Europa League win over PSV Eindhoven.
Bukayo Saka’s flick set right-back Ben White away down the right flank and his cross was thundered into the roof of the net by Xhaka.
Southampton will have been relieved to be only 1-0 down at the break, but were much brighter in the second period and were deserving of their equaliser, perhaps profiting from an Arsenal side who looked increasingly weary from their midweek exertions.
A quick counter-attack on 65 minutes drew reward when Mohamed Elyounoussi slipped the ball into the path of Armstrong, who was composed with his finish past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Reuters
Southampton vs Arsenal
Martinelli is causing all sorts of problems down the left and he dribbles his way into the box before clipping in a cross from the byline. Perraud glances it away from Jesus, and White can't keep it in play on the far side.
Southampton vs Arsenal
GREAT SAVE! Xhaka's pass pinballs off Caleta-Car and Diallo before bouncing kindly through for Jesus in the middle of the box. He lets it bounce before hitting the volley and Bazunu smothers it from close range.
Southampton vs Arsenal
BLOCK! It's another lovely team move from Arsenal, starting with White down the left. Saka touches it into Odegaard, who cushions it into Jesus' path. He hits the shot first time, but Caleta-Car throws himself in front of it.
Southampton vs Arsenal
Tomiyasu's quick throw-in caught Southampton out and Martinelli puts a dangerous low cross into the six-yard box. Saka peels away to reach it at the far post, but he'd just drifted offside.
Southampton vs Arsenal
BLOCK! It's a wonderful weaving run from Martinelli as he cuts inside from the left, dribbling past four Southampton defenders to get to the edge of the D. He hits his shot back across goal, but a big deflection off Salisu sends it just wide of the near post.
Southampton vs Arsenal
A fourth corner in a row is swung in by Ward-Prowse and most of the players are crowded into the six-yard box. Again, it's a comfortable clearance for Arsenal, but Southampton are keeping the pressure on.
Southampton vs Arsenal
Ward-Prowse's corner is cleared as far as Stuart Armstrong, who hits the referee when he attempts to recycle it. He does get it in on the second attempt, but Adam Armstrong can only win another corner.
Southampton vs Arsenal
The Southampton fans think Arsenal are trying to waste time as Tomiyasu has now gone down after losing his boot. When the Saints' throw-in does go into the box, it's cleared at the near post by Partey.
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