After a distinctly underwhelming afternoon at the Emirates, a late penalty from Santi Cazorla saved Arsenal's blushes. Until Jose Fonte's ill-advised late tug on Olivier Giroud, the Gunners had looked flat and incoherent, struggling to find their groove even as Southampton fell back to preserve a draw.
Cazorla's confident strike from the spot postponed any inquest, though Southampton might well be incensed that the penalty was awarded despite Laurent Koscielny appearing to be offside as he lay ahead in front of goal. Referee Bobby Madley, though, was not to be swayed.
With an eye perhaps on Tuesday's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain this week, Arsene Wenger chose to rest Giroud and Granit Xhaka. Francis Coquelin returned to the midfield, Lucas Perez made his debut up front and, at the back, there was a debut too for Shkodran Mustafi. The fresh names on the teamsheet brought a frisson of excitement in the stands. What followed was therefore something of a disappointment.
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