Southampton v Arsenal

Southampton 1

Ramirez 34′

Arsenal 1

Guly 41′ (og)

FT 90 +4
HT 1-1

By Sam Sheringham BBC Sport

Southampton climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone after securing a draw with Arsenal but were unfortunate not to pick up all three points.

The Saints went ahead when Gaston Ramirez seized on a loose ball and drilled past Wojciech Szczesny.

But Arsenal hit back before the break when Guly do Prado diverted Theo Walcott's free-kick into his own net.

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Defensive display delights Adkins

Ramirez thought he had given the hosts the lead but his sharp strike was ruled out for a foul on Laurent Koscielny.

A winning goal would have been just reward for a performance in which Southampton largely outplayed their illustrious opponents.

After losing their first four league games, the Saints have only suffered two defeats in their last 10 and have now leapfrogged Wigan to exit the relegation zone on goal difference.

In attack, Ramirez and Rickie Lambert were a constant menace to the Gunners defence, whilst at the other end Theo Walcott was starved of service after being given another chance to press his claims for a regular starting berth up front.

Walcott cut a forlorn figure in an Arsenal side that was a pale imitation of the team that scored 15 goals in winning their previous four games.

Analysis

Mark Bright BBC football pundit on Radio 5 live

"I have seen Arsenal a lot over the last few years and this is the worst I have seen them play. Their passing was terrible, they were shambolic today on the ball.

"This is supposed to be a team that is competing to finish in the top four. I think Tottenham and Chelsea are stronger, Arsenal have left themselves too much to do."

Manager Arsene Wenger fielded the same eleven that had beaten Newcastle 7-3 three days earlier but saw his team fade badly after a bright start.

After Santi Cazorla had gone close with a dipping 30-yard strike Arsenal's attacks repeatedly broke down in the final third.

Their failings in possession enabled Southampton to grow in confidence and the opening goal reflected their increasing ascendancy in the game.

It followed a mix-up in the Gunners defence as both Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs made a hash of their clearances, allowing Ramirez to fire a loose ball past Szczesny.

Southampton should really have preserved their lead until half-time but were let down by a misjudgement from Brazilian Do Prado, who needlessly stretched out a leg at Walcott's free-kick from the left wing and diverted the ball past Artur Boruc.

Do Prado set out to atone for his error after the break and drew a sharp save from Szczesny at his near post with a rasping drive from outside the area.

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Arsenal lucky to get a point - Wenger

His effort was the catalyst for another dominant spell from the home side in which Jason Puncheon lashed into the side netting from inside the box and Ramirez drilled a long-range effort over the bar.

The Uruguayan was convinced he had given Southampton the lead midway through the half when he took a chipped pass on his chest and swivelled to fire home, but the goal was ruled out for a shove on Koscielny.

Both managers made changes in a quest for a winning goal, with Arsenal substitute Gervinho firing into the side netting and Mikel Arteta going close from 25 yards.

Puncheon then had a late chance to win the match for Southampton but he fired straight at Szczesny and the home side had to settle for a point.

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins: "It was a good performance. Arsenal have been scoring a shed load of goals and we nullified that threat and carried plenty of threat ourselves.

"The own-goal was a spawny one that came off his toe but these things happen and we'll get the rub of the green soon.

"They started brightly but we stuck out it, grew in confidence and played well."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Southampton

31 Boruc
03 Yoshida
06 Fonte
23 Shaw
04 Schneiderlin Booked
08 S Davis
10 Ramirez (Ward-Prowse - 77' )
18 Cork
21 Guly (De Ridder - 83' Booked )
42 Puncheon
07 Lambert (Rodriguez - 74' )

Substitutes

01 K Davis
05 Hooiveld
22 Richardson
16 Ward-Prowse
33 De Ridder
09 Rodriguez
24 Mayuka

Arsenal

01 Szczesny
03 Sagna
05 Vermaelen
06 Koscielny
28 Gibbs
08 Arteta
10 Wilshere
14 Walcott
15 Oxlade-Chamberlain (Gervinho - 74' )
19 Cazorla (Ramsey - 74' )
09 Podolski (Giroud - 58' )

Substitutes

36 Martinez
04 Mertesacker
07 Rosicky
16 Ramsey
22 Coquelin
12 Giroud
27 Gervinho

Ref: Probert

Att: 31,743

Match Stats

Possession 46 54

Shots

9 6

On target

6 4

Corners

3 3

Fouls

9 6

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:12 Full time

Full Time The referee ends the match.

90:00 +2:32

Jason Puncheon takes a shot from 25 yards. Blocked by Thomas Vermaelen.

90:00 +0:30

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jay Rodriguez on Laurent Koscielny. Free kick taken by Theo Walcott. Unfair challenge on Steven Davis by Mikel Arteta results in a free kick. Artur Boruc takes the direct free kick.

90:00

Kieran Gibbs delivers the ball, Jose Fonte manages to make a clearance.

87:07

Jason Puncheon produces a drilled right-footed shot from 12 yards. Save made by Wojciech Szczesny.

86:14

The ball is crossed by Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud takes a shot. Artur Boruc makes a save.

85:48

Free kick crossed by Jack Wilshere, Steve De Ridder makes a clearance.

85:48 Booking

Booking Steve De Ridder goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.

85:32

Free kick awarded for a foul by Steve De Ridder on Bacary Sagna.

84:42

Jason Puncheon has an effort at goal from 20 yards. Comfortable save by Wojciech Szczesny.

84:18

Steve De Ridder crosses the ball, Jay Rodriguez takes a shot. Save by Wojciech Szczesny.

83:22

Yao Gervinho produces a drilled right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

82:22 Substitution

Substitution Guly Do Prado leaves the field to be replaced by Steve De Ridder.