'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Heading into the fixture against Southampton, the Gunners had failed to win a Premier League game since beating Bournemouth 1-0 at home in early October. Post the international break, former Arsenal captain, Granit Xhaka, was still left out of the team while the likes of Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were all named in the starting eleven.
Danny Ings opened the scoring at the Emirates Stadium after taking a quick free-kick. The former Liverpool player made no mistake from close range as his side capitalised on Arsenal's lack of concentration at the back. Although the visitors had chances to double their lead, Lacazette equalised 10 minutes later at the other end of the pitch. This brought some relief and respite for the home team who improved as the game went on.
Onto the second-half, Arsenal started brightly with Nicolas Pepe and Aubameyang all coming close to scoring in the early stages. However, Southampton took the lead once again and this time, from a penalty. The Arsenal players have got to thank the long seven minutes of additional time as Lacazette saved his team from a defeat. Here are three reasons why the game ended in a draw.
#3 Lapses in concentration persist for Arsenal
Just when Unai Emery's men started to string a couple of good attacking pieces, the home team switched off the moment the referee blew the whistle for a foul. The Saints took advantage of that and netted the first goal of the game. It was that simple. All the visitors had to do was seize the chance when the Arsenal players were not concentrating.
Lapses in concentration have been prevalent throughout the season and Emery does not appear to have a solution to it. It could have been a costly one for the Gunners if not for Lacazette's equaliser. However for a team which desires to compete for the Champions League qualification spots, such mistakes should have long been eradicated.
#2 Lacazette came to Gunner's rescue
Arsenal were far from convincing and it was down to that very last minute of additional time that Lacazette came to their rescue. He wass definitely the club's saviour of the day. Without him, the Gunners would not have equalised on both occasions. Coming into the fixture, the Frenchman had not scored since his goal against Tottenham in September. An ankle injury caused Lacazette to miss four Premier League fixtures and at last, he has started scoring.
As compared to Southampton's 21 shots, the North London team managed just 12 in the whole game. That is a far cry from what fans would have expected from a performance at home. The result also indicates that the Gunners are by no means capable of competing for the top four this season. We have witnessed Leicester City embarrassing Southampton close to a month ago, but here we have Arsenal making a team in relegation zone look good.
The only person Emery has got to thank is Lacazette who has probably kept his manager's role safe for yet another game.
#1 Saints' failure to capitalise on their chances
Southampton missed an awful lot of chances after James Ward-Prowse scored in the 71st minute. It is almost unbelievable how the Saints did not extend their lead until the result was beyond Arsenal's reach. Ralph Hasenhüttl and his team only have themselves to blame after finishing the game without all three points in their pocket. No one knows how exactly Southampton did not win this game.
The number of shots the Saints enjoyed was far more than the North London club. Yet, the former only had six shots on target while the Gunners had five. There is evidently an issue with their conversion rate and possibly lack of confidence when it comes to scoring. The game should have ended in favour of Southampton but their failure to capitalise on their chances meant that they had to share the points with Arsenal.
