Arsenal’s title hopes took a hit after they fought back to secure a thrilling 3-3 draw against Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Friday evening.
At the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta’s team got a point even though they were down 3-1 with only two minutes left in normal time.
Martin Odegaard’s goal started Arsenal’s comeback, and Bukayo Saka’s goal in stoppage time made the score even.
But despite the exciting escape, Arteta left with his head in his hands because the Gunners will go to second-placed Manchester City on Wednesday, knowing that Pep Guardiola’s team controls the title.
Arsenal is five points ahead of City, but City has two games in hand because they will play Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday.
No matter what Arsenal does, if City wins or draws with Arsenal and then wins the rest of their games, they will be crowned champions.
After losing two games in a row by blowing two-goal leads and drawing 2-2 with West Ham and Liverpool, Arsenal at least showed a lot of heart to turn things around.
“Obviously unhappy with the result. We made it very difficult again for ourselves,” Arteta said.
“If you concede three like we did in a sloppy way it is very difficult to win, but the way we reacted I love my players more than ever.
“This young team reacts in a way that is incredible, when it is against the odds.”
After only 27 seconds, Southampton’s Carlos Alcaraz scored the first goal after Arsenal custodian Aaron Ramsdale gave it to him.
In a painful turn of events, it was former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott who made it 2-0 for the team at the bottom of the table.
Gabriel Martinelli got one back for Arsenal before Duje Caleta-Car headed Southampton’s third goal in.
Odegaard and Saka made sure that Arsenal didn’t lose their first league game in ten.
But City’s six straight league wins have put a lot of pressure on Arsenal, and Arteta’s young team could fall apart if they don’t win their must-win game at the Etihad Stadium.
“It is not a final because there are still six games to go,” Arteta said.
“We are down but they are more willing than anybody to win it. You can see that spirit in the dressing room but it is clear we have to do better defensively.”
Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, and Sol Campbell were in the crowd at the Emirates to cheer on the current Arsenal team. They were part of the group that won the title in 2004.
But even the presence of that famous trio wasn’t enough to get them going. Ramsdale’s shocking mistake in the first minute showed how nervous Arteta’s team was.
