Arsenal dent hopes for final-four finish with defeat vs. Southampton

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Are Arsenal lacking fight in the race for Champions League place?

Shaka Hislop feels Arsenal need more fight when things are not going their way in games.

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:57 am

Jan Bednarek's first-half strike helped Southampton to a 1-0 victory against Arsenal at St. Mary's Stadium on Saturday.

Michel Arteta's side could have drawn level on points with Tottenham with a victory after their rivals lost 1-0 to Brighton earlier on Saturday, but the result means they remain just outside the Champions League spots in fifth place.

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It was a nervy start for Arsenal after Southampton's young striker Armando Broja weaved through the Arsenal defence and fired a ball across the face of goal in the opening minutes.

It was not long until the visitors called Souhampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster into action when Gabriel Martinelli slipped a low ball to Bukayo Saka, whose shot was superbly saved by the 34-year-old's hand.

However, it was Southampton who finally got the breakthrough in the 44th minute when Bednarek jumped onto a cutback from Mohamed Elyounoussi and slotted the ball past Aaron Ramsdale and into the net.

Arsenal continued to struggle after the break, lacking the connections and clinical touches in front of goal.

The visitors came alive in the final 20 minutes, with close chances for Saka, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe but could not find an equaliser thanks to more great saves from Forster.