Arsenal´s Premier League pursuit suffered a setback as the Gunners were held to a 2-2 draw against a dogged Southampton away from home. Even though it was an away point gained, Arsenal can now fall off the top spot tomorrow if Manchester City beat Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
Arsene Wenger will be disappointed with the way his team started the match, with a lethargic pace that gave Southampton an early confidence boost. It has been a difficult week for the Saints but the club rallied well by starting the first half in style, passing the ball with confidence and keeping possession. The good football was producing openings too as teenage debutant Sam Gallagher lashed a shot at the hands of Wojciech Szczesny in the Arsenal goal.
The Arsenal players were lacking their usual slick passing and tempo and it was only a matter of time before Southampton took the lead. On the 21st minute the hugely impressive Luke Shaw sent in a cross that was met by Jose Fonte at the back post to head home. The player has had a troubled week after being involved in a training ground bust up with Dani Osvaldo, but the Portuguese defender beat Nacho Monreal to give the Saints a 1-0 lead.
The hosts continued to press throughout the first 45 minutes and went close on several other occasions; including Gallagher´s reaching shot going just wide. Indeed, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was likely pleased to only be trailing by a single goal as the whistle blew for halftime.
The Frenchman´s halftime team talk seemed to do the trick as Arsenal came out for the second half with more fluid possession. With the fluency back the players leveled the match on the 48th minute when Bacary Sagna sent a low driving shot into the box, where it was met by Oliver Giroud who grabbed his ninth league goal of the season.
A barnstorming start to the second half continued on the 52nd minute when Santi Cazorla kept up his recent good form with a delightful left footed strike that beat Southampton keeper Artur Boruc to give Arsenal a 2-1 lead.
The drama continued two minutes later as Arsenal failed to hold onto their lead. Jay Rodriguez was released down the left flank and picked out Adam Lallana, who then sent a shot through Szczesny´s legs to tie the score at 2-2. Both teams continued to seek the win in a high temp finale, but neither could find the winning goal as Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini claimed a straight red card for a late lunge on Morgan Schneiderlin.