ARS vs SOU
Match Centre
ARS vs SOU As It Happened
Key moments so far
- Saints move up to third in the Premier League with point at Arsenal
- Theo Walcott opens the scoring with a cool finish against his former club
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalises for the hosts seven minutes into the second half
- Gabriel sent off just after the hour for a second bookable offence, bringing down Walcott
20.27I'm not unhappy, because last year we had a draw here that i was more disappointed about. we did a very good first half, but it is clear the opponent fought back in the second half. we take the point - it's an important one for us. we know we are in a fantastic position in the table, but there's a long way to go."
ralph hasenhüttlsouthampton manager
Read our report from the Emirates
Check out our match report on a night when Saints pushed hard for three points, but ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils at Arsenal.
20.19FULL TIME: Arsenal 1-1 Southampton
It ends all square - a point probably more gratefully received by Arsenal than Southampton following the second-half dismissal of Gabriel. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cancelled out Theo Walcott's 18th-minute opener soon after the interval, but plenty of late Saints pressure was not enough to force a winner.
Holding hits the bar!
My word, what a scare. Arsenal win a free-kick and Holding meets it with a thumping header that McCarthy waves goodbye, but the ball strikes the crossbar and the defender is denied.
4️⃣ added minutes...
We're into stoppage time, as Ings sees a header deflected wide, but a couple of Saints corners come to nothing.
Redmond shoots wide
The winger steps inside and fires in a shot towards the near post, but it's fractionally wide of Leno's goal. Still Saints keep pushing...
Yellow Card for Danny Ings (Southampton)
Ings slides in and catches Willock from a rare Arsenal attack.
Djenepo goes close!
Bertrand slips a lovely pass in behind the defence for Djenepo, who gets through but his touch gets away from him. The winger is belatedly flagged offside in any case.
Ward-Prowse's shot blocked
Great wide play from Djenepo, who cuts the ball back from the byeline for the skipper, but his side-footed shot from 15 yards is blocked. This really is one-way traffic, but still no way through.
Saints probing...
Arsenal are very much camped in behind the ball now, as Saints move the ball from side to side, patiently waiting for opportunities to strike. The visitors have 13 minutes to find a winner.
Redmond hits the woodwork! 😩
So close! Romeu lofts a beautiful ball over the top for Redmond, who sneaks in behind the defence and slides in to meet the pass, but his shot on the stretch cannons against the angle of post and bar, and Arsenal survive...
Arsenal substitution: Joseph Willock replaces Dani Ceballos
It's a flurry of changes at the Emirates, with Willock the latest to enter the fray.
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Arsenal substitution: David Luiz Moreira Marinho replaces Eddie Nketiah
Nketiah is sacrificed as Arteta plugs the gap vacated by Gabriel in central defence.
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Southampton substitution: Nathan Redmond replaces Theo Walcott
Walcott's last contribution was to win the foul that saw Gabriel's evening cut short.
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Southampton substitution: Moussa Djenepo replaces Stuart Armstrong
It's a double change in the No 10 position for Saints.
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Red Card for Gabriel dos Santos Magalhães (Arsenal)
It's a second yellow card for Gabriel and Arsenal are down to 10! Walcott turned him and the defender dragged him down...
McCarthy denies Saka
Saka has been Arsenal's best player in this game, and he tries a shot with his right foot from 20 yards that forces McCarthy to push the ball behind for a corner that Saints duly defend.
Adams tests Leno
Brighter from Saints, who respond well to the setback as Adams fires from the edge of the box - it's cleanly struck but dealt with by Leno.
Aubameyang equalises for Arsenal
Great work from Saka down the left to beat three Saints players and find Nketiah, whose clever touch around the corner releases Aubameyang in the box. The skipper doesn't miss, guiding the ball accurately inside the far post to leave McCarthy no chance.
GOAL
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (52’) | 1 – 1
We're back under way...
The second half is up and running - Arsenal were out very early, and manager Mikel Arteta will expect a big improvement from his side.
HALF-TIME: Arsenal 0-1 Southampton
Saints are in front at the interval courtesy of Theo Walcott's well-taken finish in the 18th minute. Latching on to a defence-splitting pass from Ché Adams, the former Gunner kept his head to lift the ball over Bernd Leno and give the visitors a deserved lead. Saints have enjoyed plenty of possession, while Arsenal improved later in the half without overly exerting Alex McCarthy.
2️⃣ added minutes...
We're into first-half stoppage time at the Emirates.
McCarthy denies Pépé
Ceballos squares the ball neatly for Pépé to shoot first time, but it's straight at McCarthy, who gathers easily.
The opening goal in pictures 📸
Check out Theo Walcott's cheeky dinked finish, as the winger came back to haunt the club that signed him from Southampton way back in 2006.
Stunning reflexes from McCarthy!
That's a great save off his own man, as Bednarek deflects a left-wing cross goalwards, but McCarthy is alert and makes a sharp stop to spare the blushes of his teammate.
Ceballos goes down...
The midfielder turns sharply in the box and Bednarek puts a foot in, but no penalty is awarded and VAR doesn't overrule the decision.
Yellow Card for Ryan Bertrand (Southampton)
Bertrand catches Pépé and joins Bednarek in the book.
Crucial block from Bednarek!
Better from Arsenal, as Aubameyang escapes down the left and cuts the ball back for Pépé, but Bednarek throws himself in the way of the shot and prevents McCarthy from having to make a save.
Yellow Card for Jan Bednarek (Southampton)
The Polish defender picks up his first booking of the season for a late challenge.
Saints in control
Saints could hardly have wished for a better start - they're a goal up and completely dominating the possession.
WALCOTT SCORES AGAINST HIS FORMER CLUB!
Saints are in front! Walcott races on to Adams's pass in behind the defence and keeps his head to lift the ball delightfully over the advancing Leno to make the breakthrough!
GOOOAL!!!
Theo Walcott (18’) | 0 – 1
McCarthy saves from Nketiah
The England Under-21 marksman cuts inside from the left and goes for goal, but McCarthy gets down to his left and comfortably holds on to the shot.
Leno punches clear
After Adams wins a free-kick wide on the left, Ward-Prowse delivers a devilish free-kick that goalkeeper Leno punches away, with bodies piling in.
Saints looking at home
The visitors are stroking the ball around confidently, enjoying most of the early possession. No further shots in the game since that early Adams sighter.
Saka plays on
The teenager is back on his feet and will attempt to continue.
Saka goes down...
The England youngster is struggling after a coming together with Adams. He's down receiving treatment, but can he continue?
Adams tries his luck...
A confident start from Saints, as Ings forces a loose clearance to Adams, who takes aim from miles out. He strikes it well, but it bounces wide. Just shows the self-belief coursing through this team!
18.02We're up and running!
Saints get us under way in their blue away strip. Come on, lads!
18.00The stage is set! 🏟
There are 15 minutes until kick-off here in north London and you're in confident mood, Saints fans! A whopping 70% of you feel Saints' 33-year wait for an away league win over Arsenal ends tonight 👊
17.46One away from FIFTY...
Danny Ings has 49 Premier League goals to his name in his career... fancy our No 9 to hit the half-century tonight?
17.30
The boss agrees 😏
No changes to the Saints starting line-up OR substitutes from Sunday's 3-0 home win over Sheffield United. That means Nathan Redmond remains on the bench - 70% of you agree that's the right decision!
17.13Arsenal team confirmed
Starting XI: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Ceballos, Elneny, Saka, Pépé, Nketiah, Aubameyang.
Subs: Rúnarsson, Mustafi, Luiz, Cédric, Willock, Willian, Lacazette.
17.05SAINTS TEAM CONFIRMED 😇
Starting XI: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Armstrong, Walcott, Adams, Ings.
Subs: Forster, Salisu, Stephens, Diallo, Djenepo, Redmond, N'Lundulu.
17.03🔜 TEAM NEWS ⏳
In less than 30 minutes' time, we'll have news of both starting XIs at the Emirates Stadium. Would you like to see the boss freshen things up, or stick with a winning team?
16.33Well remembered, Saints fans! 👏
The answer to today's teaser was Shane Long! It was the Irishman who crossed the ball perfectly for Charlie Austin to head home the winner against Arsenal, two years ago today. Well done to the 42% of you who guessed correctly in our trivia poll!
16.29At home with Alex McCarthy 🎥
Seen our feature interview with Alex McCarthy yet? The Saints stopper invited us into his back garden to talk family, football and the future...
16.1216.10it was an important game, not because we draw, but because it was a very good game from our side. we must win this game normally - we had a lot of chances to finish it, but it was a turnaround because we played in a new shape, we did it quite well and it was the first step in the right direction."
ralph hasenhüttlon saints' last visit to arsenal
A key turning point? 💭
In November last year, Southampton went to the Emirates Stadium and produced a dominant performance worthy of victory. Ultimately, Saints had to settle for a draw, but the boss believes it was a major moment in the transformation of his side, who went on to enjoy a fruitful festive period.
16.05How can Saints shoot down the Gunners?
Sam Tighe takes a closer look at tonight's game, highlighting the three keys to victory for Ralph Hasenhüttl's side, in the latest edition of Tactical Watch.
15.3115.28they (saints) are a really high-pressing team, really aggressive, really committed. they are a team that is very much alive and you can see that the manager transmits that passion from the bench, everyone is aggressive and they all go. they are scoring goals and we need to be aware of that."
mikel artetaarsenal manager
ALL you need to know in ONE place 🤓
Look no further than our Match Pack for a detailed preview of tonight's game, packed with news, views and stats!
15.23It was SO GOOD to have you back 😍
Who was among the lucky 2,000 on Sunday? Saints welcomed supporters back to St Mary's for the first time in nine months in style, running out 3-0 winners over struggling Sheffield United.
14.56Remember this one? 📸
It's been two years to the day since the boss celebrated his first win in charge - against Arsenal! What a day it was at St Mary's ♥️
14.5114.43we're not playing the stats, we're playing an arsenal side with quality. we should always concentrate on every part of our game - we need a perfect shape against the ball."
ralph hasenhüttlsouthampton manager
Hear from the boss 🎙
We caught up with Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl over Zoom, to discuss team news, keeping his squad happy and the prospect of facing a wounded Arsenal side.
14.41IT'S MATCHDAY 🤩
We're back! After two wins on the bounce, against Brighton and Sheffield United, Southampton are looking for a first away league victory over Arsenal since 1987. The Gunners are languishing in 15th position in the Premier League table, 10 points behind fourth-placed Saints. Stay with us for all the build-up, team news, match updates and live commentary. Kick-off is at 6pm GMT!
14.36ARS vs SOU Line Ups
Arsenal
| 1 |
Bernd Leno (GK)
|
|---|---|
| 3 |
Kieran Tierney
|
| 16 |
Rob Holding
|
| 6 |
Gabriel Magalhães
|
| 8 |
Dani Ceballos
Joseph Willock (67′)
|
| 25 |
Mohamed Elneny
|
| 15 |
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
|
| 7 |
Bukayo Saka
|
| 14 |
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (C)
|
| 30 |
Eddie Nketiah
David Luiz (65′)
|
| 19 |
Nicolas Pépé
Cédric Soares (85′)
|
Substitutes
| 17 |
Cédric Soares |
|---|---|
| 12 |
Willian |
| 20 |
Shkodran Mustafi |
| 13 |
Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson |
| 28 |
Joseph Willock |
| 23 |
David Luiz |
| 9 |
Alexandre Lacazette |
Southampton
| 1 |
Alex McCarthy (GK)
|
|---|---|
| 3 |
Ryan Bertrand
|
| 4 |
Jannik Vestergaard
|
| 35 |
Jan Bednarek
|
| 2 |
Kyle Walker-Peters
|
| 32 |
Theo Walcott
Moussa Djenepo (63′)
|
| 6 |
Oriol Romeu
|
| 17 |
Stuart Armstrong
Nathan Redmond (63′)
|
| 8 |
James Ward-Prowse (C)
|
| 9 |
Danny Ings
|
| 10 |
Che Adams
|
Substitutes
| 44 |
Fraser Forster |
|---|---|
| 22 |
Mohammed Salisu |
| 27 |
Ibrahima Diallo |
| 11 |
Nathan Redmond |
| 5 |
Jack Stephens |
| 12 |
Moussa Djenepo |
| 40 |
Daniel N'Lundulu |
ARS vs SOU Match Stats
Head to Head Stats
-
Possession (%)3565
-
Shots913
-
Shots on target43
-
Corners27
-
Passes Complete262543
