Southampton frustrated Arsenal to claim an important point in a Barclays
Premiership clash which saw both sides reduced to 10 men.
Both teams had chances to win an open and evenly contested game at St Mary's
after the sendings-off of David Prutton and Robin van Persie either side of
half-time.
The Gunners claimed the lead soon after Prutton's dismissal when Freddie
Ljungberg tapped home in first half injury-time.
But van Persie was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence
early in the second half and Peter Crouch headed home a valuable equaliser.
Ashley Cole thought he had headed a stoppage-time winner but his effort was
ruled out for offside. Thierry Henry had earlier been thwarted by a fine save
from the brilliant Paul Smith.
Champions Arsenal had gone into the game with a chance to cut the gap on
Premiership leaders Chelsea to eight points.
But just as in Munich on Tuesday, their defence was almost exposed in the
opening minutes.
Slack work allowed Henri Camara to sneak in and it needed a desperate stretch
by Pascal Cygan to save the day at the expense of a corner.
Kolo Toure had slotted in at right-back with Philippe Senderos playing
centre-half alongside Cygan, and a ball pumped over the Ivory Coast defender's
head put Crouch in to force another early corner.
Yet despite all Southampton's early pressure, it was the visitors who should
have taken the lead with their first real break.
Henry was quick to pounce on a mistake by Olivier Bernard and played a superb
through-ball for van Persie but the Dutchman could not keep his low first-time
shot on target.
Play quickly switched back to the other end and Camara felt aggrieved not to
be awarded a free-kick for an apparent trip by Cygan on the edge of the area.
The flag was raised but referee Alan Wiley chose to take no action.
Arsenal gradually began to enjoy more possession and van Persie threatened
again when he turned to shoot on the edge of the area but Smith saved
comfortably.
Saints had another good chance just after the half hour when Crouch headed
down for Camara and the Senegal frontman volleyed straight at Jens Lehmann.
Lehmann was then lucky not to be caught off his line when Graeme Le Saux's
free-kick into the area drifted in towards goal but beyond the far post.
Despite Saints' chances, Arsenal were enjoying the better possession and
Saints midfielder Prutton incurred a booking for a heavy tackle on Mathieu
Flamini.
A chance then appeared to open up for Henry from a deep Cole cross but he
chose to pass inside and Southampton cleared.
There was not much respite however as Patrick Vieira drilled in a shot which
Smith did well to keep out low to his right.
Southampton's task was then made all the more difficult as Prutton was shown a
second yellow card and sent off for another bad tackle, this time on Robert
Pires.
Prutton reacted angrily to the decision and pushed Wiley as he attempted to
confront his assistant on the touchline. In the end it was manager Harry
Redknapp who had to drag him away.
It proved the end of Pires' afternoon as he was carried off on a stretcher
soon after and replaced by Gael Clichy.
The home side paid the penalty as the Gunners took the lead in the first-half
stoppage time.
Henry jinked his way into the area and squared to Freddie Ljungberg for a
simple finish from six yards.
Arsenal maintained their control as the second half got under way as Henry
backheeled Flamini's through-ball into Ljungberg's path in the 48th minute but
the Swede was crowded out by defenders.
A minute later Smith then made an astonishing save from Henry after the
striker was set up by van Persie just eight yards out. The young keeper saved
with an outstretched leg.
But Arsenal had double reason to regret that as within two minutes they
themselves were reduced to 10 men, van Persie dismissed for a second yellow card
for a bad challenge on Le Saux.
Henry at least looked to exploit the extra space and dribbled away from a host
of challengers to find Ljungberg but his shot was well held by Smith.
Yet Southampton still sensed a way to get back into the match and were
rewarded with an equaliser after 66 minutes.
Crouch was the man who did the damage as he rose to reach a Jamie Redknapp
corner. Lehmann was left stranded as Crouch's powerful downward header bounced
up and went in off the crossbar.
As time ran out Crouch almost reached another cross but Saints had two
reprieves.
Smith produced a brilliant save to keep out Henry's curling effort with just
minutes remaining and Cole was denied by the offside flag.
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