Premier League leaders Arsenal dropped points for only the second time this season, as Southampton grabbed a hard-fought point at St Mary’s thanks to Stuart Armstrong’s second-half equalizer.
Armstrong completed a flowing team move that included Adam Armstrong and Mohamed Elyounoussi to extend Saints’ unbeaten league run to three games.
Granit Xhaka scored his second goal in as many games for Arsenal, shooting into the roof of the net from Ben White’s low pass.
The effervescent Gabriel Martinelli had a shot deflected wide and Gabriel Jesus was denied by Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu as the visitors threatened to double their advantage before the interval.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team improved in the second half but needed a superb last-ditch challenge from Elyounoussi to deny Jesus, who had broken clear of the Southampton defence.
Martin Odegaard thought he had put Arsenal back ahead not long after Armstrong’s equaliser, but the Norwegian’s effort was disallowed after the ball had gone out of play in the build-up.
The result leaves Mikel Arteta’s team two points clear of second-placed Manchester City, while Saints stay in 15th – three points clear of the relegation zone.
