Southampton vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
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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
Saka was bursting into the box when Caleta-Car stuck out a leg to try and get the ball. He pulled out of the challenge and Saka went looking for the contact. He goes down and gets booked for diving.
Southampton vs Arsenal
Partey picks out Odegaard with another lovely throughball and his first touch loops away from him towards the penalty spot. Jesus tries to get his head to it, but it's just behind him.
Southampton vs Arsenal
MISS! Ward-Prowse's pass is cut out by Partey and Odegaard's first thought is to slide it through to Jesus. He wriggles away from Salisu, but it's a tight angle and he fires his shot into the side netting.
Southampton vs Arsenal
The hosts break quickly on the counter again, with Perraud finding space to run into down the left. He tries to whip an early cross into the box, but it's well blocked by Saliba.
Southampton vs Arsenal
Southampton win the first corner of the game and Stuart Armstrong swings it into a very congested six-yard box. Ramsdale manages to flap a hand at it before Partey helps to clear it fully.
Southampton vs Arsenal
With four goals in all competitions, this is Xhaka's joint-best goalscoring season for Arsenal, while he's scored in back-to-back appearances for just the second time for the Gunners (also in September 2016).
Southampton vs Arsenal
It's still all Arsenal here as they continue to knock it around comfortably in midfield. Southampton are dropping deeper into their own half and making it difficult for them to get through.
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