Bukayo Saka of Arsenal shoots through the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on April 21, 2023 in London, England
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Arsenal struck two late targets to rescue a degree in a pulsating 3-3 house draw with backside membership Southampton however their Premier League title hopes suffered one other blow on a Friday evening of frazzled nerves in north London.
For a lot of a stomach-churning encounter it appeared Arsenal would undergo a hammer blow of their quest to carry off Manchester City and win the league for the primary time since 2004.
They conceded after 28 seconds when keeper Aaron Ramsdale gifted a objective to Carlos Alcaraz and have been 2-0 down inside quarter-hour as former Arsenal ahead Theo Walcott fired house.
Gabriel Martinelli struck again for the Gunners after 20 minutes and Arsenal have been millimetres away from equalising in stoppage time on the finish of a pulsating opening half as Ben White’s header was cleared off the road.
Southampton may need wilted underneath the house strain within the second half however as a substitute restored their two-goal lead within the 66th minute as substitute Duje Caleta-Car headed in on the again submit.
The guests, searching for a primary win in seven league video games of their determined battle to increase their 10-year keep within the high flight, seemed to be heading for an important victory.
But Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard curled a shot previous Gavin Bazunu within the 88th minute to throw Arsenal a lifeline earlier than Bukayo Saka scored from shut vary two minutes later.
With the house followers keen Arsenal to attain 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 objective.
In eight minutes of added time Leandro Trossard was denied by the crossbar after which fellow substitute Reiss Nelson noticed a deflected shot go agonisingly extensive of the submit.
With Southampton camped inside their very own penalty space, Gabriel Jesus then went down within the field interesting for a penalty however there was to be no last twist to the unremitting drama.
Both units of gamers collapsed to the turf on the last whistle after a draw that did little to assist both aspect of their very completely different targets.
Arsenal did enhance their lead over reigning champions Manchester City to 5 factors forward of the doubtless decisive conflict between the highest two at The Etihad subsequent Wednesday, though City have two video games in hand.
Southampton, who belied their place with some brave soccer, stay backside with 24 factors, three beneath the security zone having performed a recreation greater than the edges above them.
Source: www.thehindu.com
