Arsenal struck two late targets to flee with a degree in a pulsating 3-3 residence draw with backside membership Southampton however their Premier League title hopes suffered one other setback on a Friday night time of frazzled nerves in north London.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, left, celebrates after scoring through the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates stadium in London, Friday, April 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)(AP)
For a lot of a stomach-churning encounter it appeared Arsenal have been self-destructing of their quest to carry off Manchester City and win the league for the primary time since 2004.
They gifted a purpose to Carlos Alcaraz after 28 seconds and have been 2-0 down inside quarter-hour as former Arsenal ahead Theo Walcott fired residence to stun the house crowd.
Gabriel Martinelli struck again for the Gunners after 20 minutes however Ruben Selles’s Southampton refused to wilt and regained their two-goal lead within the 66th minute as substitute Duje Caleta-Car headed in on the again publish.
The guests, looking for a primary win in seven league video games of their determined battle to increase their 10-year keep within the high flight, gave the impression to be heading for a priceless victory.
Many Arsenal followers have been heading for the exits when captain Martin Odegaard curled a shot previous Gavin Bazunu within the 88th minute to throw the hosts a lifeline.
And when Bukayo Saka equalised within the ninetieth minute the stadium was rocking on its foundations.
With the house followers prepared Arsenal to discover a winner, simply as they did a month in the past when getting back from two targets down towards Bournemouth, they laid siege to the Southampton purpose.
In eight nailbiting minutes of stoppage time Leandro Trossard hit the woodwork, fellow substitute Reiss Nelson’s shot was deflected agonisingly vast of the publish and Gabriel Jesus was denied a spot kick after tumbling in a congested penalty space.
There was to be no ultimate twist to the plot, nevertheless, and each units of gamers appeared spent on the ultimate whistle, collapsing to the turf after a draw that did little to assist both aspect of their very totally different goals.
Arsenal elevated their lead over reigning champions Manchester City to 5 factors forward of Wednesday’s blockbuster conflict of the highest two at The Etihad, though City now have two video games in hand and are clear favourites for the title.
Southampton belied their precarious place with some brave soccer, however stay backside with 24 factors, three beneath the protection zone having performed a recreation greater than these above them.
Despite the setback, Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta remained defiant. “It hasn’t changed,” he stated.
“Obviously the task is even bigger but now we have to do the simple things better and cut out mistakes. We made it very difficult again for ourselves but the way we reacted I love my players more than ever.”
HEALTH WARNING
Whatever occurs over the following few weeks, a well being warning needs to be issued to Arsenal followers of a nervous disposition.
Winning titles isn’t purported to be straightforward, however the final three video games have put Arsenal followers by the wringer.
Firstly back-to-back 2-2 away attracts towards Liverpool and West Ham United through which two-goal leads have been squandered, allowed City to shut the hole and gave Friday’s conflict with Southampton a must-win really feel for the London membership.
Cool heads and clear focus have been required however as an alternative Arsenal suffered an horrific begin with keeper Aaron Ramsdale’s informal go going straight to Alcaraz who completed in model.
Sloppy Arsenal then turned over possession within the 14th minute and Alcaraz threaded an ideal go to Walcott who didn’t even break stride earlier than taking pictures into the nook.
Arsenal’s shell-shocked gamers gathered in a huddle to regain their composure and 5 minutes later the deficit was halved as Saka jinked to the byline and clipped again the proper go for Martinelli to brush a end previous Bazunu.
Ramsdale redeemed himself with a double save to maintain out Adam Armstrong’s header and Mohamed Elyounoussi’s follow-up volley and Alcaraz then proved a thorn in Arsenal’s aspect on the different finish with a miraculous goalline clearance to maintain out Ben White’s header from a Saka nook.
Arsenal appeared down and out when Caleta-Car despatched Southampton’s followers into delirium however their barnstorming end stretched their unbeaten run to 10 video games and maintained the assumption that the title remains to be in attain.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
