Arsenal earn last gasp draw at home to second bottom Southampton

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:18 am

Alexandre Lacazette earned Arsenal a last-gasp 2-2 draw at home to second bottom Southampton on Saturday.

Unai Emery came into this match under huge pressure following four successive Premier League matches without a win but the visit of a team who lost 9-0 at home to Leicester less than a month ago seemed like the perfect opportunity to end that run.

And following the match, Emery admitted it hadn't been good enough: "We are frustrated and we understand the supporters as well. We lost an opportunity to connect with our supporters because they helped us.

"We want, and we know, that here is the key. Here is the key to feel comfortable, to feel strong and take confidence. We didn't do that."

However, Arsenal were behind after eight minutes when their defence was caught out by Ryan Bertrand's quick free kick and Danny Ings hit an effort in off the post.

Arsenal were held at home for the consecutive Premier League game.
Getty

The visitors were by far the better team but Arsenal drew level with their first attack when Lacazette finished off on 18 minutes after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's initial shot had been blocked following good work from Mesut Ozil.

But the hosts failed to build on their goal and Southampton had the chance to take the lead when Kieran Tierney was adjudged to have pulled Ings' shirt and, following a consultation with the VAR, referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot.

James Ward-Prowse saw his initial effort saved by Bernd Leno, but put in the rebound. However, with Arsenal heading for a potentially season-defining defeat, Lacazette popped up to earn his side a point in the 96th minute.

Despite the late goal, Arsenal's players left the pitch to a chorus of boos from the home supporters and Emery said he understood why Lacazette did not celebrate the equaliser.

He said: "Yes that's an example of how they felt. They felt the point was not enough. Our performance, individually and collectively, was about achieving the victory."

The result leaves Arsenal winless in the Premier League in their last five matches, the worst such streak for the Gunners since 2011.