Although Arsenal had dropped four points from their last two matches with consecutive draws, they were still heavy favourites against a Southampton team who are fighting for their lives at the foot of the table.
However, in almost unbelievable circumstances, Ruben Selles’ side took the lead after just 27 seconds when Aaron Ramsdale passed the ball straight to Carlos Alcaraz from a goal-kick, and the Argentinian gladly obliged by curling his shot into the top left-hand corner to stun the Emirates into silence.
If the home fans thought their start to the game couldn’t have got any worse, they were proved wrong when, after 14 minutes, Alcaraz played Theo Walcott in, and the former Arsenal favourite slotted his first-time finish past Ramsdale and into the left corner to put Southampton in dreamland.
Despite their profligate defending, the Gunners were still attacking with some purpose and fluidity, and they got themselves right back into the contest six minutes later when the ever-impressive Bukayo Saka’s cross found Gabriel Martinelli, who fired home a first-time volley for his 15th league goal of the season.
The Saints’ two-goal buffer could have been restored with the half-hour mark approaching, but Ramsdale was alert to make a smart double save to deny Mohamed Elyounoussi and Alcaraz to ensure the deficit remained at one at the break.
Arsenal had won on three of the four occasions they had trailed at half-time this season, and they knew that a fifth such turnaround was vital in their pursuit of league glory.
However, despite being well on top after the break, the north Londoners failed to take their chances, and they were dealt a killer blow with less than half an hour remaining when the unmarked Duje Caleta-Car headed home at the far post from a corner to make it 3-1, sending the travelling faithful into raptures.
It appeared as if the Gunners had run out of ideas, but Martin Odegaard’s goal halved the deficit with two minutes remaining gave them hope, before Saka brought the house down when his effort from close range drew them level.
This set up a thrilling conclusion to the game, which eventually finished level to ironically leave both teams feeling disappointed.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Carlos Alcaraz (Southampton)