Arsenal almost lost to the bottom team in the Premier League

In the last two matches on another field, Arsenal took a two-goal lead but were both drawn 2-2 by Liverpool and West Ham. Yesterday, they returned to the Emirates home ground and... were two goals behind after 14 minutes. The first goal came in the 27th second, from the mistake of one of the most impressive players of the season - goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. While coordinating with his teammates with his feet, Ramsdale did not pass well, allowing Carlos Jonas Alcaraz to shoot a shot right in front of the penalty area, opening the scoring for Southampton.

When efforts to respond were not effective, Arsenal received a second cold water. Alcaraz continued to be the main factor when sloping the ball in front of the penalty area and then poked a gap to let the old general Theo Walcott escape, hitting the far corner. Walcott did not celebrate, when he scored against the team he had been with for 12 years (2006-2018 period). But what happened was enough to shock Arsenal players and fans, including legends like Thierry Henry or Patrick Vieira.

Before this round, Arsenal only had four points more but played one more game than Man City. The two teams still have a direct confrontation at Etihad. If they continue to stumble, they may completely lose the right to self-determination into the hands of the defending champion.

So, before bringing the ball back, left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko gathered his teammates to cheer and encourage. But the two-goal difference somewhat made the host players impatient. Their morale was only improved by Gabriel Martinelli's 20th minute goal. The first attack belonged to Bukayo Saka with a breakthrough from the right wing to the bottom of the line, then passed it back with his right foot not for his teammates to shoot one touch into the goal.

Minutes later, Arsenal rushed into a frenzy with the goal of equalizing in the first half. But on a bad day, Gabriel Jesus and his teammates missed a few valuable opportunities in the penalty area. In which, once Jesus faced goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, and once the ball was cleared before the goal line from Ben White's header.

In the downline, the nostalgia for center-back William Saliba was evident, when the defense clumsily let Southampton constantly threaten. In the 26th minute, the home side might have to concede a second goal if Ramsdale did not promptly save two consecutive close-range shots of Mohamed Elyounoussi and Alcaraz.

After the break, Arsenal stepped up attack, with a permanent possession rate of over 80%. However, the motivation from their midfield in this match was too weak, due to the absence of Granit Xhaka due to illness, while the substitute Fabio Vieira was as faint as usual, and Thomas Partey was in decline. Therefore, the significant opportunities that Arsenal create at this stage are not many.

While struggling, Arsenal conceded a goal. From a corner, Armel Bella-Kotchap passed to the far post for a first-half substitute Duje Caleta-Car headed close to the goal. The host's defense, especially Zinchenko, did not defend well when following people who were not close. Southampton became the first bottom team to score three goals against the top team in Premier League history.

With nothing left to lose, coach Mikel Arteta continuously increased personnel for the attack, with the arrival of Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson or before that, Leandro Trossard. But in front of the packed concrete of Southampton, Arsenal rarely created a real chance, even at times controlling the ball to 93%. Many home fans lost patience and left when the second half had a few minutes to start.

But hope was suddenly lit up in the 88th minute, with a flash of the captain Martin Odegaard. After receiving the ball on the right wing, instead of coordination, the Norwegian midfielder pulled into the center of the penalty area and then cut the left foot into the far corner to shorten the gap to 2-3. Two minutes later, the Emirates Stadium seemed to burst, when Saka hit the ball to equalize 3-3 from a shot from teammate Nelson.

With the second half being added to eight minutes of time - mainly due to Southampton players buying time, Arsenal's ability to win all three points is not small. All Arteta and his students needed was a table. However, this may not be their day, as was Trossard's breakthrough and finish in the second minute of injury time.

When the final whistle blew, the Arsenal players all expressed disappointment. Increasing the gap with Man City to five points, but they played more than two matches, and left the right to decide in the hands of the defending champion. This week, Man City is busy kicking the FA Cup.