Arsenal v Southampton Live Commentary & Result, 21/04/2023, Premier League

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	MCI Manchester City	38	28	5	5	94	33	+61	89	L D W W W
2	ARS Arsenal	38	26	6	6	88	43	+45	84	W L L W W
3	MUN Manchester United	38	23	6	9	58	43	+15	75	W W W W L
4	NEW Newcastle United	38	19	14	5	68	33	+35	71	D D W D L
5	LIV Liverpool	38	19	10	9	75	47	+28	67	D D W W W
6	BHA Brighton & Hove Albion	38	18	8	12	72	53	+19	62	L D W L W
7	AVL Aston Villa	38	18	7	13	51	46	+5	61	W D W L L
8	TOT Tottenham Hotspur	38	18	6	14	70	63	+7	60	W L L W L
9	BRE Brentford	38	15	14	9	58	46	+12	59	W W W L W
10	FUL Fulham	38	15	7	16	55	53	+2	52	L D W W L
11	CRY Crystal Palace	38	11	12	15	40	49	-9	45	D D W L W
12	CHE Chelsea	38	11	11	16	38	47	-9	44	D L L D W
13	WOL Wolverhampton Wanderers	38	11	8	19	31	58	-27	41	L D L W L
14	WHU West Ham United	38	11	7	20	42	55	-13	40	L W L W L
15	BOU AFC Bournemouth	38	11	6	21	37	71	-34	39	L L L L W
16	NFO Nottingham Forest	38	9	11	18	38	68	-30	38	D W D W L
17	EVE Everton	38	8	12	18	34	57	-23	36	W D L W D
18	LEI Leicester City	38	9	7	22	51	68	-17	34	W D L L D
19	LEE Leeds United	38	7	10	21	48	78	-30	31	L L D L L
20	SOU Southampton	38	6	7	25	36	73	-37	25	D L L L L

Thanks for joining our commentary today. Until next time, goodbye.

Arsenal take a point from the contest, but now face a title-defining trip to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City on Wednesday. Southampton also have a huge match at the other end of the table at home to Bournemouth on Thursday.

What a game! Arsenal salvage a point in their Premier League clash against Southampton as the game ends 3-3 at the Emirates Stadium. A mistake by Aaron Ramsdale allowed Carlos Alcaraz to open the scoring within 27 seconds for the visitors before Theo Walcott haunted his former club to put the Saints two goals to the good. Gabriel Martinelli got one back before the break, but Duje Caleta-Car restored Southampton's two-goal cushion. It appeared as though the Gunners would be heading for a rare defeat, but late efforts from Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka earned them a share of the spoils. Arguably the point suits neither side in their ambitions this season, but Arsenal will feel relieved to leave the game with something.

90' + 10' FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 3-3 SOUTHAMPTON

90' + 10' PENALTY SHOUT! Jesus goes down in the box amid a scramble in the box, but the referee waves play on.

90' + 9' Partey wastes a promising position with long-range strike from 30 yards that he launches over the bar. It's far too ambitious in the situation and Arteta will be furious.

90' + 7' Who knows how long is left here as Elyounoussi goes down with cramp. Arsenal are still desperate for the winner, while the Saints need to hold on for a point.

90' + 5' INCHES WIDE! Saka forces the ball to Jesus in the box, who goes down under pressure. The referee waves play on and the loose ball falls to Nelson, who places his effort inches wide of the left post with the aid of a deflection.

I. Diallo

Yellow Card

90' + 4' Diallo catches Jesus with a loose challenge and goes into the book.

90' + 2' OFF THE BAR! Trossard drops his shoulder and cuts inside to shoot on his left foot. It soars towards goal and beats Bazunu, only to see his effort rattle the bar and bounce over.

90' There will be eight minutes of added time. Arsenal have plenty of time here.

B. Saka

Goal

90' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL SAKA EQUALISES!!!! 3-3!!!! Arsenal are level through Saka and have plenty of time to force a winner! Nelson collects in the box and lines up a strike. Bazunu makes the save, but Saka is first to the rebound and fires the ball over the line. Arsenal surely can't record another memorable comeback here.

90' BLOCK! Lyanco saves Southampton with a great block to deny Jesus after Nketiah's layoff fell into his path in the penalty area.

B. White

Assist

88' White raids forward and offloads to Odegaard, who bends his strike into the bottom-left corner.

M. Ødegaard

Goal

88' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! ODEGAARD GIVES ARSENAL HOPE!!!!! 3-2!!!!! The Gunners give themselves a chance of salvaging a result as Odegaard bends a strike past Bazunu. White tees up his skipper on the edge of the box and he drops his shoulder before curling his left-footed strike away from the Saints keeper into the bottom-left corner. Game on.

I. Diallo

R. Lavia

86' Diallo enters the action to replace Lavia in the middle of the park.

86' Saka floats a cross to the back post for the run of Gabriel, but the defender cannot make contact with a diving lunge.

R. Nelson

Gabriel Martinelli

85' Nelson replaces Martinelli, who got the goal back in the first half, but has not been on his mettle in the second.

83' SAVE! Saka twists and turns in the inside-right channel and curls a strike towards goal, but his effort is comfortably saved by Bazunu.

81' Onuachu does well for the Saints down the right flank to fend off Gabriel and take vital seconds off the clock. Southampton are edging over the line.

80' Saka angles a cross into the box for Jesus to attack, but Jesus fails to connect with the cross behind Lyanco.

78' BLOCKS! Trossard is denied in the six-yard box by a desperate challenge by Lyanco. Arsenal keep the attack alive and Saka shoots from Martinelli's cutback, but Nketiah gets in the way of his team-mate's strike.

P. Onuachu

A. Armstrong

77' Onuachu replaces Armstrong for the visitors to lead the line.

K. Sulemana

T. Walcott

77' Walcott is withdrawn by Selles for the final 13 minutes. He is replaced by Sulemana.

A. Armstrong

Yellow Card

76' Armstrong goes into the book for time-wasting.

75' Further frustration for the Gunners as the assistant referee needs help sorting out his communication device. Further time ticks away.

74' The atmosphere has been completely sucked out of the Emirates. Arsenal have been extremely poor in the final third in the second half, but it only takes one moment of magic to turn the game.

E. Nketiah

O. Zinchenko

72' Nketiah enters the game for the home side in need of a miracle. Zinchenko is the man to make way.

71' White catches Bella-Kotchap on the boot and the Saints defender wins a free-kick on the edge of the Southampton box.

69' CHANCE! JESUS HAS TO SCORE! Martinelli puts the ball on a plate for Jesus with a perfect cross from the left flank. Jesus only needs to steer his effort towards goal, but the Brazilian launches his first-time strike over the top.

68' Southampton are the first team in Premier League history to start the day bottom of the table and score 3+ goals against the team starting the day top.

A. Bella-Kotchap

Assist

66' Bella-Kotchap rises at the near post to flick Ward-Prowse's corner to Caleta-Car to score.

D. Ćaleta-Car

Goal

66' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! CALETA-CAR SCORES A THIRD!!!!! 3-1 SOUTHAMPTON!!!!!! Another incredible twist in the game as Caleta-Car scores at the back post. Ward-Prowse angles a corner into the box from the right flank where Bella-Kotchap wins the first header. The ball travels to the back post where Caleta-Car heads the ball home unmarked past Ramsdale. Stunning scenes at the Emirates.

64' Lavia is down for the visitors. Southampton will use every trick in the book to wind down the clock, although there is a long way to go.

62' Saka strikes the post, but only after the ball had gone out of play from Martinelli's cross. Arsenal need to up the ante here to put the pressure on the Southampton goal.

59' Selles has taken the gamble of adding a defender to shore up his backline, but it means Arsenal have been gifted possession. The Saints need to be flawless at the back to see out this result now.

L. Trossard

Fábio Vieira

57' Vieira has had a tough game and is now withdrawn for Trossard.

56' Vieira wastes a decent position in the final third as he clips his cross straight to Bazunu when he had team-mates waiting at the back post.

55' Vieira tries to latch onto Saka's cross at the back post, but Lyanco is well placed to direct it behind for a corner.

53' Martinelli looks to release Zinchenko on the charge, but he sends his pass into the inside-left channel behind for a goal-kick.

52' Arsenal are encamped in the Southampton half, but cannot find a way through the five-man backline at the moment.

49' Lyanco is in the right place at the right time for the visitors to clear Odegaard's cross into the middle away from Jesus.

47' Zinchenko works the ball to Jesus in the inside-left channel, but his cross deflects off Lyanco into the hands of Bazunu.

46' We're back under way at the Emirates Stadium.

Lyanco

C. Alcaraz

46' Alcaraz had an incredible first half, but has been withdrawn by Selles for an extra defender in Lyanco. A very surprising move by the Southampton manager.

Arsenal were jittery from the off and were duly punished by the Saints. Ramsdale, especially, looked shell-shocked after his mistake and he arguably could have saved both Alcaraz and Walcott's strikes. At the other end, the Gunners were impressive, but just lacked the clinical edge to get the equaliser. More chances will come in the second half, but they have to hold their composure. Southampton have a crucial advantage and it could be a defining moment in their battle against the drop if they can hold on.

What to say about that first half? Southampton hold a 2-1 lead at the break in their Premier League clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. An Aaron Ramsdale error presented Carlos Alcaraz with a simple goal inside 27 seconds before Theo Walcott haunted his former club with a low strike to extend the Saints' advantage. Gabriel Martinelli got one back for the Gunners and they pressed for an equaliser, but the visitors held firm. A crucial second half awaits for both clubs at each end of the table.

45' + 8' HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 1-2 SOUTHAMPTON

45' + 7' SCRAMBLE! The ball ricochets around the Southampton box as Jesus, White and Martinelli all try to force efforts towards goal, but the Saints hold firm.

45' + 7' Bella-Kotchap threads the needle to release Armstrong in the inside-left channel. He cuts the ball across the face of goal, but Partey is well-placed to clear the danger.

O. Zinchenko

Yellow Card

45' + 4' Zinchenko slides in hard on Elyounoussi and goes into the book.

45' + 4' OFF THE LINE! Arsenal are inches away from a leveller as White's header is cleared off the line. White rises to guide Saka's corner towards the far corner, but Alcaraz haunts Arsenal again by heading it clear.

45' + 3' CHANCE! Saka releases the run of Jesus behind the Southampton defence. The forward takes possession and tries to slot his effort past Bazunu, but the keeper spreads himself to block his effort behind.

45' + 1' OVER! Vieira stands up a cross to the back post following a corner, but Holding can only plant his header over the bar at the back post.

45' There will be seven minutes of added time.

43' Martinelli angles his free-kick deep towards the back post, but Bazunu watches it safely behind.

K. Walker-Peters

Yellow Card

42' Walker-Peters pulls back Martinelli on the turn and goes into the book. Arsenal have a free-kick in a useful position.

D. Ćaleta-Car

J. Bednarek

40' Bednarek makes way and is replaced by Caleta-Car.

39' Bednarek is desperate to come back on, but the Southampton medical staff are instructing that he needs to be substituted.

38' Bednarek is sent tumbling to the ground as Martinelli backs into the defender. He lands awkwardly on his neck and requires treatment on the field.

36' Martinelli probes down the left flank and tries to force a cross into the box, but the ball deflects back off Bednarek onto the Arsenal man and behind for a goal-kick.

33' WIDE! Vieira miscues a first strike at goal, but gets the ball back from Gabriel for a second effort, only to place his attempt wide of the left post.

R. Perraud

Yellow Card

32' Saka turns past Perraud down the right flank and he draws a foul from the full-back, who goes into the book.

31' Walcott pounces on a loose ball in the Arsenal half and he shoots from distance, only to send his effort straight at Ramsdale.

30' Walcott is down for the visitors in need of treatment before the game can continue. However, he appears to be okay to continue.

28' OVER! Martinelli raids down the left flank once more and he lifts a cross into the box for Odegaard to attack, only to lift his effort over the bar.

C. Alcaraz

Yellow Card

27' Alcaraz brings down Saka on a potential counter, dragging him down by the shirt. He goes into the book.

26' SAVE! Ramsdale makes a mess of a simple stop to deny a header from Elyounoussi as the winger connects with a cross from Perraud at the back post. Alcaraz latches on to the rebound and fires an effort at goal, but the Arsenal keeper responds to turn his strike over the bar.

24' Holding floats a ball over the top for Jesus behind the Southampton defence, but the forward is flagged just offside.

22' Martinelli has caused the Saints all sorts of problems and has his reward, but his team still need a whole lot more from him tonight.

B. Saka

Assist

20' Saka does well down the right flank to beat Perraud before sending a cross into the middle for Martinelli to convert.

Gabriel Martinelli

Goal

20' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!! MARTINELLI RESPONDS FOR ARSENAL!!!!! 2-1!!!! The Gunners are back in business as Martinelli sweeps home Saka's cross. Saka breaks down the right flank and manages to dig out a cross into the middle for Martinelli. The Brazilian takes on the strike first-time and beats Bazunu with his effort.

18' Zinchenko collects on the left flank and he drills a low ball across the face of goal, but there's no one there in an Arsenal shirt to tap the ball home.

16' Arsenal have taken 2-0 leads in their last two matches, but now need to respond to a 2-0 deficit. Their title hopes may hang in the balance here.

C. Alcaraz

Assist

14' Alcaraz plays a sublime pass to release Walcott before the former Gunner slots his effort past Ramsdale.

T. Walcott

Goal

14' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! WALCOTT MAKES IT TWO!!!!!! 2-0 SOUTHAMPTON!!!! Incredible scenes at the Emirates as the Saints double their advantage as the former Gunner Walcott comes back to haunt Arsenal. Odegaard loses possession and it allows Alcaraz to release Walcott in behind Gabriel. He shoots first time and places his effort past Ramsdale into the bottom-left corner.

13' Martinelli causes problems down the left flank with a burst, but his cutback towards Odegaard is closed down before a second cross towards Saka results in a foul.

11' Arsenal have to regain their composure amid a tough start. The Saints will look to take the pace out of the game at every opportunity.

9' The two quickest goals scored in the Premier League this season have both been conceded by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium: nine seconds against Bournemouth in March and 27 seconds against Southampton tonight.

8' Martinelli drives down the left flank and lifts a cross into the box. Bazunu pushes it away only as far as Zinchenko on the edge of the box, but he fires his left-footed strike over the top.

6' Odegaard and Partey go for the one-two in the inside-left channel following a corner, but the Arsenal captain can only fire his strike into the side-netting.

5' Martinelli surges into the inside-left channel and tries to look for an offload, but Bella-Kotchap is alert to guide the ball out for a goal-kick.

3' Arsenal have won four out of the five matches they have conceded the first goal in at the Emirates in the Premier League this season.

C. Alcaraz

Goal

1' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! WHAT A START FOR SOUTHAMPTON!!! ALCARAZ SCORES!!!! 1-0!!!! Ramsdale commits a huge error at the back to present Alcaraz and Southampton a goal after 30 seconds. Ramsdale tries to thread the needle between Alcaraz and Walcott, but he plays the ball straight to the forward. Alcaraz takes a touch and then hammers his strike past the Arsenal keeper into the top-left corner.

1' We're under way at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have not lost in 23 Premier League home games against Southampton (won 16, drawn seven), the most one side has hosted another without ever losing in the competition.

Southampton have made three changes to their side from their defeat to Palace in their last outing. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is ineligible against his parent club and is replaced by Perraud, with Walker-Peters moving back to right-back. Aribo and Sulemana drop to the bench as Elyounoussi and Adam Armstrong get the starts in the final third.

Arsenal have made two changes to their side from their draw against West Ham. Granit Xhaka misses out due to illness and is replaced by Vieira in the middle of the park. Zinchenko returns to the back four to replace Tierney, who drops to the bench.

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Alex McCarthy, Lyanco, Duje Caleta-Car, Joe Aribo, Mislav Orsic, Paul Onuachu, Stuart Armstrong, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ibrahima Diallo.

SOUTHAMPTON (4-4-2): Gavin Bazunu; Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Bednarek, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Romain Perraud; Carlos Alcaraz, James Ward-Prowse, Romeo Lavia, Mohamed Elyounoussi; Theo Walcott, Adam Armstrong.

ARSENAL SUBS: Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Jakub Kiwior, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Reiss Nelson, Matt Turner, Reuell Walters.

ARSENAL (4-3-3): Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Fabio Vieira; Bukayo Sako, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli.

Southampton are spiraling towards the Championship after suffering their third defeat in a row against Crystal Palace last time out. The Saints are four points adrift of safety heading into the contest tonight, but can take hope knowing that a surprise result would really shake up the relegation battle. Ruben Selles' men have not registered a win since the beginning of March and have looked toothless at both ends of the pitch. It will take a special effort to force a result against the league leaders on the road.

Arsenal desperately need to get back to winning ways tonight after spurning two two-goal leads against Liverpool and West Ham United in their last two matches, dropping four vital points in the process. Their inability to close out both games has allowed Manchester City to narrow the gap at the top to four points, although the Gunners can capitalise on City's FA Cup exploits this week by extending their advantage to seven ahead of their crucial showdown with Pep Guardiola's men next week. Mikel Arteta and his side must record a win over the struggling Saints today.

Hello and welcome to the live commentary of the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal v Southampton Live Commentary, 21/04/2023

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