A late goal from Olivier Giroud has earned Arsenal a 1-1 draw at Southampton, who had initially taken a third-minute lead in the Premier League fixture at St Mary’s.
Charlie Austin’s early opener had appeared to be enough for the Saints until substitute Giroud marked his appearance from the bench with yet another important goal in a Gunners shirt.
Despite sharing the spoils, both clubs make headway in the standings with Arsenal now sitting in fifth place and Southampton moving into the top half of the table.
After Dusan Tadic had broken behind the Arsenal midfield, he played the ball through to Austin who kept his composure to flick the ball past the advancing Petr Cech from 12 yards out.
Arsenal’s first opportunity came through Alexandre Lacazette, who turned sharply inside the box and got a shot away from 12 yards, but his effort went straight at Fraser Forster.
Forster also had to be alert to keep out a first-time striker from Aaron Ramsey inside the penalty area, with the England international saving well down to his left.
Arsenal wasted no time going onto the front foot at the start of the second half but it was Southampton who created the first opportunity with Nathan Redmond seeing a 25-yard effort comfortably saved by Cech.
Arsenal had switched to a back four and the home side almost capitalised when Tadic played Ryan Bertrand through on goal, but the left-back’s shot across goal just missed the far post.
Arsene Wenger opted to introduce Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud all in quick succession but heading into the final 15 minutes, Arsenal did not look like finding an equaliser.
Alexis Sanchez tested Forster with a 25-yard free kick, but the Chilean quickly turned provider to set up Arsenal’s equaliser, with his cross finding Giroud who sent a glancing header into the far corner.
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