Southampton 3-2 Arsenal AS IT HAPPENED: Danny Ings double ends Gunners unbeaten run
DANNY INGS and Charlie Austin gave relegation-threatened Southampton a thrilling 3-2 victory over Arsenal - inflicting the Londoners' first defeat in 23 games. See how the action unfolded with Express Sport.
Unai Emery has a 'dossier' on every Arsenal player reveals expert
A late goal by substitute Charlie Austin gave relegation-threatened Southampton a thrilling 3-2 victory over Arsenal on Sunday in new Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuettl's first home game.
It was the Londoners' first defeat in 23 games and meant they lost ground on fourth-placed Chelsea, while Southampton moved out of the bottom three.
Danny Ings, back after injury, headed two fine goals in the first half from equally good crosses by Matt Targett and Nathan Redmond.
In between, Mkhitaryan drew Arsenal level with a header of his own and early in the second half he scored via a big deflection.
Yet in the 85th minute Austin, who had come on for the tiring Ings, headed in a cross by Shane Long.
The win sent Southampton above Burnley into 17th place while Arsenal remained fifth in the table.
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
SOUTHAMPTON 3-2 ARSENAL
FT: They’ve done it! Southampton have beaten Arsenal to end their 23-match unbeaten run. Ralph Hasenhuttl celebrates like he’s won the World Cup - jumping onto the field and pumping his arms. Big result for Saints, who jumps out of the relegation zone and into 17th position.
95: Shane Long collects a yellow card for some gamesmanship. If that’s what they call a blatant foul.
94: Guendouzi lines up a long-range spectacular but it is anything but. That’s gone over and Saints make a final substitution. Debutant Johnson replaces Armstrong.
92: Henrikh Mkhitaryan goes for an ambitious effort from distance but a double deflection lofts it up kindly for McCarthy.
90: Those cardboard clappers are getting some good use now. Saints supporters are trying to drag their side over the line.
FIVE minutes of added time.
89: Southampton fans are singing their hearts out - but is it premature? Arsenal now throwing the kitchen sink at the hosts as the minutes tick away.
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
87:Charlie Austin has scored in all five of his Premier League games against Arsenal - only Raheem Sterling versus Bournemouth (6 games) has a better 100% record of scoring against a specific opponent in Premier League history.
SOUTHAMPTON 3-2 ARSENAL | AUSTIN
86: Did I just say that Southampton couldn’t get out of their own half? Cancel that!
Late, late drama here at St Mary’s! Shane Long clips the ball to the back post for Charlie Austin to nod in from close range.
That’s his fifth goal against Arsenal in five appearances. Lethal.
85: Saints can’t get out of their own half now. Every clearance comes straight back within seconds.
83: Arsenal pushing for this late winner - but they are forcing things too much with lifted balls over the top going astray. Still plenty of time for a goal here.
80: Save!McCarthy with a terrific stop to keep Southampton level. Lacazette gets the faintest of headers on a free-kick but somehow the Saints stopper claws it to safety.
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Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
79: Not a fingernail left in the house! Aubameyang latches onto a hopeful ball forward and slips it over to the waiting Lacazette, but there’s Vestergaard to clear.
76: GOALLLFFFFFSSIDE! Southampton think they’ve taken the lead only for the offside flag to cut their celebrations short. Shane Long bundles the ball in after Yoshida's header is saved by Leno, but he's in an offside position. Correct decision.
75: Change for the hosts as Charlie Austin, who has a habit of scoring against Arsenal, replacing Danny Ings. Ainsley Maitland-Niles also replaces Stephan Lichtsteiner.
73: Lucas Torreira flicks it over to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, he's in on goal but can’t properly connect with a toe-poked effort and Alex McCarthy saves.
70: Cometh the 70-minute mark, cometh Mesut Ozil! The German playmaker comes on to replace Alex Iwobi for the final 20 minutes. Time to win those fans back, Mesut…
68: Solly March has pulled one back for Brighton against Chelsea. That’s 2-1 with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
65: Bit of a disaster for Southampton as their most influential attacker Nathan Redmond hobbles off injured. Shane Long takes his place.
63: Booked! Laurent Koscielny goes in the book for a clumsy late challenge on Redmond.
60: Close! Nathan Redmond clips a cross in for Danny Ings but Leno races off his line to punch clear. It falls to Targett, whose effort is very tame indeed.
57: Henrikh Mkhitaryan has scored his first Premier League brace, and his first in the top five European leagues since August 2015 (for Borussia Dortmund vs Borussia Mönchengladbach).
55: Stick or twist for Southampton? A point would be a good result for the hosts and I’m not sure how much Danny Ings has left in the tank having just returned from injury.
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: GETTY)
SOUTHAMPTON 2-2 ARSENAL | MKHITARYAN
53: Ralph Hasenhuttl looks to the sky in frustration - and It’s easy to see why.
Romeu dithers in midfield and is quickly dispossessed by substitute Alexandre Lacazette. He lays the ball off to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who hits one from just outside the area, it pings off Jannik Vestergaard and wrongfoots McCarthy.
Desperately unlucky for the Saints - but Arsenal don’t care. They are level.
52: Booked! Bednarek fouls Lacazette on the touchline and collects a caution for his troubles. First of the afternoon in fact.
51: Unai Emery looks a worried man as Nacho Monreal goes down clutching his calf. Arsenal really can’t afford another defensive injury. He’s up and about now - crisis averted.
48: Close! The former Borussia Dortmund pair Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang link up with the striker being prodded through. McCarthy is quickly off his line to block. Nearly a nightmare start for the Saints.
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
SOUTHAMPTON 2-1 ARSENAL
45:And we’re back underway. Unai Emery has indeed made a change at the break - Alexandre Lacazette replaces the injured Hector Bellerin.
Twitter round-up
Hugh: Why don't Arsenal ever stop crosses? Why can't we pass a ball in the first half? What is it with St. Mary’s? Why is Iwobi on the pitch? Why is Koscielny on the pitch? Why are we playing 3 centre backs when we have ONE fit centre back?
James: Arsenal usually improve in the second half but they are going to need to here. Patched up defence looks vulnerable but there were at least enough signs of life going forward to suggest they can salvage this.
Jim: Arsenal played horrible. No possession at all and I would move to a back 4 put Niles at RB and move Xhaka to CM with Iwobi coming off for Laca.
Strange
HT: Arsenal haven't led at half time in any of their 17 Premier League games this season (D12 L5).
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: GETTY)
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
SOUTHAMPTON 2-1 ARSENAL
HT: Southampton lead at the break. Unai Emery’s side haven’t really turned up yet and would have been a touch fortunate to go in level - but beware the second half onslaught!
47: Matt Targett gives the ball away needlessly to Aubameyang but quickly wins it back and draws the foul. More effort like that required from Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.
To make matters worse, Bellerin is having to come off injured. They are currently playing with ten men. Looked like Maitland-Niles was going to come on but he's sat on the bench.
45: Two minutes of added time.
SOUTHAMPTON 2-1 ARSENAL | INGS
43: Danny Ings does it again!
The Liverpool loanee has missed five games through injury but clearly wants to make up for lost time - and this one is a beauty.
Nathan Redmond loops a beautiful cross into the penalty area, where Ings rises highest to head over Leno and into the net.
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
40:Armstrong and Romeu exchange a few passes near the penalty area but the former doesn’t connect with the shot and Leno easily gathers.
38:The pace has dropped a fraction here as we approach the break. It’s kind of turned into a midfield scrap with neither side prepared to give an inch.
35: Just to keep you in the loop - Chelsea are 2-0 up against Brighton thanks to goals from Eden Hazard and Pedro. Looks like game over at the Amex Stadium already.
33: Henrikh Mkhitaryan has scored as many Premier League goals for Arsenal in 25 games as he did for Man Utd in 39 (5 goals).
30: Close! Arsenal nearly turn this game completely around inside two minutes as Lucas Torreira charges into the penalty area before teeing up Aubameyang. The striker goes to strike first time but Bednarek makes a pivotal block.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 ARSENAL | MKHITARYAN
27: Death, taxes, and Southampton throwing away a hard-fought lead.
Arsenal are level less than 10 minutes after falling behind. It came out of nowhere with Nacho Monreal sending a low drilled cross into the box, where Henrikh Mkhitaryan stoops to head home.
Pretty ruthless from the Gunners.
24: Danny Ings has scored his first headed goal in the Premier League since October 2015 vs Everton, 1169 days ago.
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
21:Danny Ings has another shot on target from the edge of the area - but this one flies over. Confidence flowing through his veins now!
SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL |INGS
19: Danny Ings is back with a BANG as heads Southampton ahead inside 20 minutes!
The Saints have been the better side and get their reward as Matt Targett drives down the left touchline before sending an inch-perfect cross over to Ings, who rises above Koscielny to convert.
Too early to say that Arsenal’s unbeaten record is under serious threat?
17: Southampton starting to get into some good areas on the pitch. Redmond spots an overlap from Armstrong down the left. He cuts inside and forces a decent stop from Leno, who clings on.
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: GETTY)
14:The lively Nathan Redmond drives forward before cutting inside on to his right foot and seeing his curling effort deflect out for a corner, which is cleared away.
11:A problem here for Nathan Redmond - he's pulled up and needs some treatment. Henrikh Mkhitaryan bizarrely uses the break to change his shirt… after eleven minutes? Redmond seems fine to continue.
8:No wonder Southampton are struggling with defending like that. Valery concedes possession on the halfway line and Mkhitaryan is allowed to gallop unopposed to the edge of the penalty area. He fires at goal but Vestergaard blocks.
5: Yoshida, Vestergaard and Bednarek are completely bypassed by Guendouzi’s ball over the top. Aubameyang collects but his angled effort is parried wide by McCarthy. Good save.
3: Looks like Xhaka has started as the left-sided centre-back in a back three for Arsenal. Unai Emery just plays him wherever he likes these days - fancy a start up front soon, Granit?
Not a wildly fast start to this match with neither side clicking straight away. Arsenal have been notoriously slow starters and Southampton will be nervous as heck to impress their new boss on home turf.
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: GETTY)
SOUTHAMPTON 0-0 ARSENAL
1: Arsenal have won only one of their last seven away games against Southampton in the Premier League. We’re about to find out if they can make that two from eight. We’re underway at a mild but grey St Mary’s.
The Arsenal special…
13:25: Have Arsenal become predictable?
If today follows their typical pattern - three things will happen today:
Arsenal won't lead at half-time, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will score and Arsenal won't lose.
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
Joy…
13:20: I see that cardboard clappers have been placed on every seat at St Mary’s ahead of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first home game in charge of Southampton. That’s not going to get very annoying very quickly…
He has also sent drinks vouchers to all season ticket holders ahead of today’s game. Now if free beer doesn’t get these supporters on side - I don’t know what will!
Transfer season
13:15: Is nearly upon us, and Arsenal are already preparing to make a splash!
Reports claim Unai Emery is plotting a £40million move for Boca Juniors winger Cristian Pavon.
It's claimed contact has already been made with his club, who have told Arsenal they will have to pay £40m to get him.
Thoughts Arsenal fans?
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
Twitter round-up
Ben: Lovely to see Koscielny back in the Premier League! This should be a win but we have always struggled at Southampton and also they have just got a new manager! Let's make it 23 unbeaten!
Wade: I don't like Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi all starting in midfield. No creativity, Mesut Ozil should be playing instead of Guendouzi.
Adam: Always hate playing Southampton away! New manager syndrome for them and a big worry about the defence today for us. Won’t be easy. Come on Arsenal.
Hasenhuttl impact
13:05: Southampton fell to a 1-0 defeat away to Cardiff in Ralph Hasenhuttl's first game in charge, but as the Austrian gets settled in at the club the Saints will be hoping to see some points on the board soon.
His first home game is far from easy as Arsenal - unbeaten since the second weekend of the season - make the trip to St Mary's.
Hasenhuttl appears to have been laying down the law this week, cancelling a day off on Monday and hosting longer training sessions to make sure his players fully get to grips with what he wants from them, and Saints fans will be eager to see the results.
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
Brighton vs Chelsea
13:00: Maurizio Sarri recalled all his big guns for Chelsea's Premier League trip to Brighton, making 10 changes from Thursday's Europa League draw at Vidi.
Brazil forward Willian was the only player to retain his starting berth from the Blues' 2-2 draw in midweek European action.
Eden Hazard was poised to operate in the false nine role up front, with Olivier Giroud on the bench and Alvaro Morata missing out through knee trouble.
Striker Glenn Murray returned for Brighton in a Seagulls line-up showing three changes from last weekend's 1-0 loss at Burnley.
You can follow LIVE updates for the game by clicking here!
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: PA)
Roy Keane update…
12:55: I think if we’re being honest - we’re all hoping for Roy Kane to go on a rampage in the Sky Sports studio this afternoon.
He’s started rather tamely - although the presenter is walking on eggshells around him.
Here’s what he said about new Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl: “He seems like a positive character.
I know he’s only been in the job a week and a few defeats might change that! He looks a big personality. But it’s a huge gamble. I guarantee he’ll be going to his chairman in January asking for players in the window as they’ve been struggling for a while.”
Beware Auba!
12:50: Ralph Hasenhuttl wants Southampton to cut off the supply line to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Easier said than done, Ralph...
Aubameyang scored six Bundesliga goals against teams managed by Hasenhuttl when the pair worked in Germany.
And the Austrian fears his struggling side may be in for a testing afternoon.
"He has a lot of qualities and therefore we have to work as a team," Hasenhuttl said of Aubameyang. "It will depend how much pressure we put on guys that want to pass to him.
"Maybe don't give too much time to these guys to put the perfect pass then it's easier to defend his qualities - his speed, his heading in the box.
"That is our goal to defend him and the rest of the team. But he doesn't need a lot of chances to score, as everyone knows."
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: PA)
Twitter round-up
John: That's a pretty uninspiring team to be honest. Lichtsteiner hasn't exactly been good recently and no Kolasinac insinuates that he's injured. Not a fan of all three of Torreira, Xhaka, and Guendouzi starting but at least Mkhitaryan and Iwobi start too. Hopefully we doesn't lose any points today!
Rob: Not sure what Lacazette has done to deserve to be dropped? Surprised both Iwobi and Mkhitaryan start - neither offered much of late.
Paul: Southampton FC are one the most out of form teams in the 4 Divisions of English football at the moment . They have their lowest points tally ever at this stage of the season. It shouldn't be too difficult today.
Famous last words, Paul.
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: GETTY)
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
Team news - Southampton
12:40: Ralph Hasenhuttl, whose name I can neither pronounce or spell, makes two changes from the Cardiff defeat.
Danny Ings and Maya Yoshida are in the starting XI with Ryan Bertrand and Shane Long dropping out.
Team news - Arsenal
12:35: Unai Emery makes four changes from the victory over Huddersfield last weekend.
The Gunners boss has no option but to throw Laurent Koscielny, who played his first minutes in seven months against Qarabag on Thursday, into his starting XI.
Nacho Monreal, Alex Iwobi and Henrik Mkhitaryan also return to the side. Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette are on the bench.
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: REUTERS)
The starting XI…
12:30: And the team news arrives. The headline news is that Unai Emery has started Laurent Koscielny and benched Mesut Ozil.
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: GETTY)
Twitter round-up
Sidney: My only fear today is the referee. It feels like the stronger Arsenal have become, the worst refereeing we get. There is a conspiracy somewhere!
Adam: This may be a weak Southampton team, but we’ve struggled to get a result at St Mary’s for a number of years. Need Aubameyang and Lacazette to be sharp today, as one goal could settle this one.
Jake: Interesting to see the line up for Arsenal this afternoon. Laurent Koscielny and Mesut Ozil set to return?
We shall see shortly, Jake.
Afternoon…
12:20: Hello there boys and girls! Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premier League as Unai Emery takes his Arsenal side to Brighton.
How’s everyone feeling this morning? I was on designated taxi duty yesterday so I’m feeling unusually fresh today.
I’m also rather excited about the prospect of Roy Keane joining Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness on Sky Sports today.
Imagine the festive cheer…
Anyway, we’ve got around ten minutes until the team news and line-ups arrive - so let’s get started!
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and latest updates (Image: GETTY)
SOUTHAMPTON vs ARSENAL
Southampton will be without injured defenders Ryan Betrand and Jack Stephens for Sunday's Premier League game with Arsenal.
Left-back Bertrand is recovering from a back problem, while centre-back Stephens has a knee issue. Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, who takes charge of his first game at St Mary's, is boosted by the return to fitness of strikers Danny Ings (hamstring) and Shane Long (ankle), and right-back Cedric Soares (calf).
Arsenal head coach Unai Emery is without four central defenders.
Laurent Koscielny is the only recognised centre-back available but has only just returned from a long-term Achilles problem. Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Shkodran Mustafi are suspended while Rob Holding (knee) and Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin) are injured, with striker Danny Welbeck (ankle) and midfielder Emile Smith Rowe (hip) also sidelined.
Last season: Arsenal 3 Southampton 2, Southampton 1 Arsenal 1
Last five league matches: Southampton D L D L L; Arsenal D W W D W
Top scorers: Danny Ings (Southampton) 5; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) 12