Arsenal news: Southampton fallout as Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard moments spotted

Arsenal are wobbling.

There’s no two ways about it – in fact there’s three. A trio of draws – the most recent being Friday’s 3-3 thriller at home to rock-bottom Southampton – have seen the Gunners relinquish control of the Premier League title race. Manchester City are now only five points behind and boasting two games in hand, as well as home advantage in next Wednesday’s title decider.

Mikel Arteta and co were behind with just 27 seconds on the clock at the Emirates, as Aaron Ramsdale misplaced a pass and was ruthlessly punished. It was 2-0 shortly after and despite Gabriel Martinelli’s reply, the Saints managed to restore their two-goal advantage early in the second half, meaning that late goals from Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka could only salvage a draw.

Here’s a round-up of the fallout.

Odegaard can’t hide frustration with Partey
Martin Odegaard cut a frustrated figure when team-mate Thomas Partey decided to shoot from 30 yards out in the dying embers of Friday’s frustrating draw. After captain Odegaard and star man Saka drew Arsenal level, the Gunners were given eight minutes of added time to find a winner.

In the final 30 seconds, Partey collected the ball from distance and instead of passing, the Ghanaian powerhouse decided to shoot and ultimately blasted the ball well wide of the goalposts. Odegaard was one of the players available for a pass, as the Norwegian ace showed his frustration by throwing his arms by his side and turning his back on Partey in dismay.

Arteta’s touchline antics tell the story
Mikel Arteta once again kicked every ball as his Arsenal side wilted against a struggling Southampton to dent their title hopes. The Spaniard was particularly animated throughout the to-and-fro affair, furious when his team conceded and elated when they scored.

Yet, Arteta spent much of the night insisting that his players calm down and maintained their composure out on the pitch. Post-match, the Gunners boss showed a cool character and played down that next Wednesday’s trip to Manchester is a must-win game.

It wasn’t all bad for Arsenal on Friday. In fact, for Buyako Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, the pair of 21-year-olds made Premier League history through the Gunners’ first goal.

Saka was provider for Martinelli’s 20th-minute strike which cut the deficit to just one. The goal meant that Saka and Martinelli joined Manchester United icons Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo as the only two team-mates aged 21 and under to have both recorded 20 or more goal involvements in a single Premier League season.