Mikel Arteta rues wayward Arsenal finishing after Southampton snatch draw against Premier League leaders

Southampton FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Marc Mayo23 October 2022

Mikel Arteta criticised his Arsenal players for failing to turn their early dominance into three points as the Premier League leaders were held at Southampton.

Granit Xhaka fired the Gunners ahead at St Mary’s yet the 11th-minute goal was Arsenal’s only of Sunday afternoon from a total of 12 shots and plenty of possession besides.

Stuart Armstrong popped up to level the score early in the second half and Arteta felt his team had plenty of time and opportunity to grab a winner.

“Yes, especially with the big chances that we created,” he stated when asked if Arsenal should have won the game.

“The way we started and played the first half of the game, we should have been in a different position.

“But credit to Southampton as well, the way the came out the second half, we weren't as clean and as consistent on the ball as we were in the first half, we started to concede a lot of long throws, set-plays which disrupted our game.

“Despite that, I think we created the two biggest chances again in the second half and it wasn't enough to win the game, unfortunately.”

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