Bukayo Saka of Arsenal shoots throughout the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on April 21, 2023 in London, England
| Photo Credit: Getty Images
Arsenal struck two late targets to rescue some extent in a pulsating 3-3 dwelling draw with backside membership Southampton but their Premier League title hopes suffered one other blow on a Friday night time of frazzled nerves in north London.
For a lot of a stomach-churning encounter it appeared Arsenal would endure a hammer blow of their quest to maintain off Manchester City and win the league for the primary time since 2004.
They conceded after 28 seconds when keeper Aaron Ramsdale gifted a purpose to Carlos Alcaraz and had been 2-0 down inside quarter-hour as former Arsenal ahead Theo Walcott fired dwelling.
Gabriel Martinelli struck again for the Gunners after 20 minutes and Arsenal had 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 might need wilted beneath the house strain within the second half but 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 lengthen their 10-year keep within the prime flight, appeared 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 prepared Arsenal to rating a winner, simply as they did a month in the past when getting back from two targets down in opposition to Bournemouth, they laid siege to the Southampton purpose.
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 broad of the submit.
With Southampton camped inside their very own penalty space, Gabriel Jesus then went down within the field interesting for a penalty but there was to be no closing twist to the unremitting drama.
Both units of gamers collapsed to the turf on the closing whistle after a draw that did little to assist both facet of their very totally different goals.
Arsenal did improve their lead over reigning champions Manchester City to 5 factors forward of the possibly 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 under the security zone having performed a sport greater than the perimeters above them.
