Arsenal title hopes hit once more after Gunners lose focus -- once more

on


LONDON -- Arsenal handed management of the Premier League title race to Manchester Metropolis regardless of scoring twice within the remaining three minutes to salvage a 3-3 draw in opposition to Southampton at Emirates Stadium.

An surprising night time of excessive drama in north London started with a dreadful mistake from Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, gifting possession to Carlos Alcaraz to open the scoring after simply 27 seconds. Former Arsenal ahead Theo Walcott doubled their benefit within the 14th minute earlier than Gabriel Martinelli pulled one again six minutes later from Bukayo Saka's cutback.

The Gunners pushed for an equaliser -- with Ben White having a header cleared off the road by Alcaraz in first-half stoppage-time -- however Southampton prolonged their benefit in opposition to the run of play on 66 minutes. James Ward-Prowse's nook was flicked on by Armel Bella-Kotchap to the again submit the place substitute Duje Caleta-Automotive nodded residence.

Gabriel Jesus missed two good probabilities because the Gunners tried to rally however they needed to wait till the 88th-minute to search out the web once more as Martin Odegaard curled a 20-yard shot previous Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

Bukayo Saka then turned residence the rebound after Bazunu saved substitute Reiss Nelson's shot because the Gunners tried to tug off one other late escape. However they might not discover one other aim in eight minutes of added time and this damaging defeat leaves them simply 4 factors away from Manchester Metropolis having performed two video games extra.

The highest two face off at Etihad Stadium subsequent Wednesday.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga & extra (U.S.)

Fast response

1. Metropolis now in charge of title race

The knock-on impact from this draw for subsequent Wednesday's conflict between Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium is profound. A fortnight in the past, Metropolis needed to win that recreation to remain inside touching distance of the Gunners. Now they do not even want a victory, given Metropolis are simply 5 factors again with two video games in hand.

There have been accusations that Arsenal have "bottled" the title race after twice surrendering two-goal leads to attract 2-2 at Liverpool and West Ham United. That suggestion was largely unfair, though these performances hinted at a vulnerability which was uncovered additional right here in embarrassing trend by a Southampton facet that had not overwhelmed Arsenal away from residence since 1987.

So lots of the Gunners' key gamers underperformed. Thomas Partey gave the ball away too usually, Gabriel Jesus was profligate in entrance of aim, even Gabriel Martinelli, who began so brightly alongside Bukayo Saka, pale in affect.

There's an alarming momentum shift away from Arsenal in the direction of Metropolis which shall be extremely troublesome for Mikel Arteta to reverse, though the late comeback offers them one thing to cling to. Metropolis at the moment are in charge of the title race.

2. Arsenal's composure faltered as soon as extra

Aaron Ramsdale's horrible error in gifting Southampton their opening aim after 27 seconds may be catalogued alongside a lot of damaging errors which have crept into Arsenal's play of late.

Most clearly, there was Bukayo Saka's missed penalty at West Ham final weekend but additionally Thomas Partey's low cost lack of possession and Gabriel Magalhaes' clumsy deal with for the Hammers' first aim. Oleksandr Zinchenko was left in tears after being overwhelmed by Trent Alexander-Arnold for Liverpool's late equaliser at Anfield on April 9 and the mixed impact has been to concede management of a title race which has more and more appeared more likely to be settled by superb margins.

Not less than they did not blow one other lead. The desperation to indicate one of the best of themselves was palpable from kick-off however it result in an virtually manic edge to their play as they rushed assaults and left themselves alarmingly uncovered on the again.

The actual fact they managed only one shot between the forty fifth and 77th minutes factors to a lack of composure, even when they deserve credit score for dragging themselves to parity in an totally frantic finale. Finally, they left themselves an excessive amount of to do.

Solely Leeds United and Southampton (each 30) have conceded extra aim at residence within the Premier League this season than Arsenal's 21. It's a damaging quantity which may value them the title.

3. Saints' preserve hopes alive behind Walcott

It would clearly frustrate Southampton that they have been unable to hold on however when the mud settles on this frenetic night time, some extent away on the league leaders is a optimistic consequence. The sight of Theo Walcott taking part in on the shoulder of the final defender earlier than slotting a wise right-foot end introduced again reminiscences of his 12 years as an Arsenal participant; he refused to have fun out of respect for his former membership. Solely Robin van Persie (46), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (43) and Olivier Giroud (40) have scored extra Premier League targets on this stadium than Walcott (39).

Ruben Selles' determination to withdraw Alcaraz -- Southampton's greatest participant -- at half-time appeared curious however with Lyanco drafted right into a five-man defence, Arsenal have been saved at bay for lengthy intervals earlier than succumbing late on. Southampton are the one facet to take factors from Arsenal at residence and away this season.

This draw leaves them backside of the desk however with proof they will compete in essentially the most troublesome environments. Earlier than tonight, that they had scored simply 9 away targets all season.

Finest and worst performers

BEST:

Romeo Lavia, MF, Southampton
Composed past his years and it was not a coincidence that Southampton collapsed after he was substituted late on.

Carlos Alcaraz, MF, Southampton
A aim, an help and goalline clearance from Ben White in first-half stoppage time. Vastly unlucky to be substituted on the break.

Bukayo Saka, FW, Arsenal
Stored plugging away and though he waned just a little after a quick begin, the 21-year-old nonetheless got here up with a valuable equaliser.

WORST:

Aaron Ramsdale, GK, Arsenal
Set the tone for a clumsy night time with a dreadful go straight to Alcaraz for Southampton's opening aim.

Fabio Vieira, MF, Arsenal
Unable so as to add creativity and composure when deputising for Granit Xhaka. Shocking he lasted 57 minutes earlier than being changed by Leandro Trossard.

Gabriel Jesus, FW, Arsenal
Missed two excellent second-half probabilities for which Arsenal paid a excessive worth.

Highlights and notable moments

Aaron Ramsdale's early error (and by early, it was 29-seconds-into-the-game early) would see Arsenal furiously play catch-up all night time lengthy.

Bukayo Saka despatched the Emirates right into a frenzy when his late aim discover noticed the Gunners pull stage. Eight minutes of stoppage time would see the house facet come achingly near a recreation winner, however it by no means got here.

After the match: What the gamers/managers stated

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to BBC, on the draw: "Obviously disappointed with the result. We made it really difficult for ourselves with the way we started the game, giving one away and then another.

Arteta on the next's game vs. Manchester City: "I can't wait, these are the video games you need to play. When all the pieces is at stake you must go there to win.

Southampton's James Ward-Prowse, on giving up two late targets: "It's a massive blow, but we have to take a lot of positives from it and I was surprised to see eight minutes at the end, a strange amount to be added on. But we have to defend better."

Key stats (offered by ESPN Stats & Data analysis)

- In keeping with FiveThirtyEight's Soccer Energy Index, Arsenal's likelihood of successful the title now stands at 25%, in comparison with Man Metropolis at 75%.

- Arsenal have by no means overwhelmed Southampton when trailing to them at halftime within the Premier League. In 9 whole matches they're 0-4-5 (W-D-L).

- Bukayo Saka is the tenth participant in Premier League historical past to attain 30 targets earlier than their twenty second birthday.

Up subsequent

Arsenal: To name the subsequent massive pivotal is an understatement as they head to Man Metropolis subsequent Wednesday, who've two video games in hand and are 5 factors behind.

Southampton: The combat to climb up the desk continues, with fellow strugglers Bournemouth visiting St Mary's on Thursday.




Supply hyperlink - espnfc.com