Sports

EPL: Arsenal’s title hopes hit major blow in 3-3 draw against Southampton

Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes were dealt a major blow despite staging a dramatic late comeback to earn a 3-3 draw against Southampton at Emirates Stadium on Friday, April 21.

Arsenal escaped with a point despite trailing 3-1 with just two minutes of normal time left at the Emirates Stadium.

Martin Odegaard’s goal sparked Arsenal’s revival and Bukayo Saka snatched the equaliser in stoppage-time.

Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale handed Southampton’s Carlos Alcaraz the opening goal after just 27 seconds.

In a painful twist, it was former Gunners forward, Theo Walcott, who doubled bottom of the table Southampton’s lead.

Gabriel Martinelli pulled one back for Arsenal before Duje Caleta-Car’s headed Southampton’s third.

Odegaard and Saka ensured Arsenal avoided a first defeat in 10 league games.

But Manchester City’s six successive league wins put Arsenal under intense pressure and Arteta’s young team are in danger of crumbling unless they can win their do-or-die showdown at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, said: “It is not a final because there are still six games to go.

“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.”

Despite the thrilling escape, Arteta finished with his head in hands because the Gunners will travel to second placed Manchester City on Wednesday knowing it is Pep Guardiola’s team who control the destiny of the title.

Arsenal are five points clear of City, but the champions have two games in hand due to their involvement in the FA Cup semi-finals against Sheffield United on Saturday.

If City win or draw against Arsenal and then win their remaining matches, they will be crowned champions no matter what the north Londoners do.

Arsenal’s title hopefuls had the support of the last Gunners group to lift the trophy in 2004 as Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, and Sol Campbell joined the crowd at the Emirates.

But even the presence of that iconic trio couldn’t inspire them as the nerves tormenting Arteta’s team were laid bare by Ramsdale’s astonishing blunder inside the first minute.

The Star