By Victor Kanayo
English Premier League leaders Arsenal dropped points for the second time this season after Stuart Armstrong’s second-half equaliser for Southampton gave them a hard-earned point at St Mary’s.
Armstrong finished off a flowing team move involving Adam Armstrong and Mohamed Elyounoussi to stretch Saints’ unbeaten league run to three matches.
Granit Xhaka had given the Gunners an early lead with his second goal in as many games, sweeping the ball first time into the roof of the net from Ben White’s low delivery.
The effervescent Gabriel Martinelli had a shot deflected wide and Gabriel Jesus was denied by Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu as the visitors threatened to double their advantage before the interval.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team improved in the second half but needed a superb last-ditch challenge from Elyounoussi to deny Jesus, who had broken clear of the Southampton defence.
Martin Odegaard thought he had put Arsenal back ahead not long after Armstrong’s equaliser, but the Norwegian’s effort was disallowed after the ball had gone out of play in the build-up.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa responded to the sacking of Steven Gerrard with a 4-0 thumping of Brentford.
Former Liverpool captain Gerrard was the fall guy for Villa winning just two of their opening 11 league games with a 3-0 defeat at Fulham on Thursday the final straw.
In contrast, Wolverhampton Wanderers are not enjoying the same success under their caretaker boss Steve Davis as Leicester City moved out of the relegation zone with a 4-0 win at Molineux.
Victories for Villa and Leicester meant Leeds United dropped into the bottom three after a 3-2 home defeat to Fulham.
In the final game of the day, Tottenham failed to recover as they lost 1-2 to visiting Newcastle.
