Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on April 21, 2023 in London, England | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Arsenal scored two late goals to rescue a point in a 3-3 home draw with bottom club Southampton, but their Premier League title hopes were dealt another blow on Friday night in north London.
For much of the stomach-churning match it appeared Arsenal would suffer a hammer blow in their quest to stop Manchester City and win the league for the first time since 2004.
They conceded after 28 seconds when keeper Aaron Ramsdale gifted a goal to Carlos Alcaraz and went 2–0 up inside 15 minutes as former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott fired home.
Gabriele Martinelli returned for the Gunners after 20 minutes and Arsenal were millimeters from an equalizer in stoppage time when Ben White’s header was cleared off the line.
Southampton may have weakened under home pressure in the second half, but instead restored their two-goal lead in the 66th minute as substitute Duje Caleta-Carr went over the back post.
The visitors looking for a first win in seven league games in their desperate battle to extend their 10-year stay in the top flight were cruising to a crucial win.
But Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard gave Arsenal life in the 88th minute when he headed home a shot from Gavin Bajunu, but two minutes later Bukayo Saka scored from close range.
The home fans prepared for Arsenal to score a winner, as they had done a month earlier when coming back from two goals down against Bournemouth, they laid siege to the Southampton goal.
Eight minutes into added time Leandro Trossard was denied by the crossbar and then fellow substitute Reiss Nelson saw a deflected shot go wide of the post.
With Southampton camped inside their own penalty area, Gabriel Jesus went down in the box appealing for a penalty, but there was no final turning point in continued play.
Both sets of players collapsed on the turf at the final whistle after the draw, which did little to help either side in their very different objectives.
Arsenal extend their lead over defending champions Manchester City to five points ahead of a potentially decisive clash between the top two at The Etihad next Wednesday, although City have two games left.
Southampton, who belied their position with some daring football, finished bottom with 24 points, three below the safety zone, having played a game more than the sides above them.