Premier League 2019-20: 3 reasons why Arsenal drew with Southampton
Heading into the fixture against Southampton, the Gunners had failed to win a Premier League game since beating Bournemouth 1-0 at home in early October. Post the international break, former Arsenal captain, Granit Xhaka, was still left out of the team while the likes of Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were all named in the starting eleven.
Danny Ings opened the scoring at the Emirates Stadium after taking a quick free-kick. The former Liverpool player made no mistake from close range as his side capitalised on Arsenal's lack of concentration at the back. Although the visitors had chances to double their lead, Lacazette equalised 10 minutes later at the other end of the pitch. This brought some relief and respite for the home team who improved as the game went on.
Onto the second-half, Arsenal started brightly with Nicolas Pepe and Aubameyang all coming close to scoring in the early stages. However, Southampton took the lead once again and this time, from a penalty. The Arsenal players have got to thank the long seven minutes of additional time as Lacazette saved his team from a defeat. Here are three reasons why the game ended in a draw.
#3 Lapses in concentration persist for Arsenal
Just when Unai Emery's men started to string a couple of good attacking pieces, the home team switched off the moment the referee blew the whistle for a foul. The Saints took advantage of that and netted the first goal of the game. It was that simple. All the visitors had to do was seize the chance when the Arsenal players were not concentrating.
Lapses in concentration have been prevalent throughout the season and Emery does not appear to have a solution to it. It could have been a costly one for the Gunners if not for Lacazette's equaliser. However for a team which desires to compete for the Champions League qualification spots, such mistakes should have long been eradicated.
