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
There are shouts from the Arsenal fans and players as Jesus takes a tumble in the box under pressure from Caleta-Car. There wasn't a lot in it though and the referee waves for play to carry on.
Southampton vs Arsenal
CLOSE! Arsenal are upping the pressure again here as Martinelli spins away from Lyanco to touch it into Xhaka. He pulls it back to Odegaard in space on the edge of the box, but his fizzed low shot is just wide of the far post.
Southampton vs Arsenal
GOOD SAVE! Martinelli plays a one-two with Partey as he cuts inside before slotting it through to Jesus. Salisu gets a toe to it to force him wide, but Xhaka shouts for him to leave it so he can rifle a first-time shot on goal. Bazunu gets down well to deny him.
Southampton vs Arsenal
It's Southampton's first real venture out of their own half as Stuart Armstrong picks out Lyanco in space down the right. He drives to the edge of the box before drilling a low shot on goal, but it's straight at Ramsdale.
Southampton vs Arsenal
Xhaka takes the free-kick short to Saka, and he drops a shoulder to lose Perraud before whipping a wonderful cross in. Gabriel is stretching to try and volley it past Bazunu, but it's just out of his reach.
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