Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
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Full Time FULL TIME: Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
90
IT JUST NEEDED A BETTER BALL: Gibbs is free in the area, but his low cross can't pick out an Arsenal shirt
88
OPEN END: Puncheon turns Gibbs inside out, but sees his shot beaten away by Szczesny
87
GOOD CATCH: Giroud nods Vermaelen's cross up in the air and Boruc holds on well
86
BOOKING: De Ridder hauls down Sagna and is shown a yellow card
85
SAFE HANDS: Puncheon's shot is straight at Szczesny. He holds under pressure from Rodriguez
84
GOOD EFFORT: Gervinho cuts in from the left before arrowing a shot just wide of Boruc's post
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Gervinho normally goes to the outside and fires to the near post. This time he went inside. It was a decent effort and at least Arsenal are sustaining the attack now
83
Substitution FINAL SOUTHAMPTON SUB: Steve De Ridder enters the fray in place of Do Prado
81
LUCKY: Sagna is robbed by Rodriguez, but, after racing to the byline, the striker pulls the ball back straight to Szczesny
80
OOOOOH: Southampton fail to clear Walcott's cross, and Arteta sends a rasping left-footed effort just wide from outside the area
Top Comments:
@krayzeekris on Twitter says:
Arteta shot from range just wide. Being totally crowded out as Saints are desperate for the point. Our pace shud win us this
77
Substitution SOUTHAMPTON SUBSTITUTION: Off goes the impressive Ramirez. Teenager James Ward-Prowse is on in his place
74
Substitution FINAL ARSENAL CHANGE: Ramsey replaces Cazorla
Top Comments:
@BeyondThe_Grove on Twitter says:
this game needs a goal so Wenger brings on #gervinho and #Ramsey good subs but doesn't really clarify who will get the goal
74
Substitution OFF GOES OX: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain receives a generous round of applause as he is replaced by Gervinho
74
Substitution SOUTHAMPTON CHANGE: Lambert is replaced by Jay Rodriguez
71
IS THAT OFFSIDE? Ramirez is freed inside the area and shoots past Szczesny, but the linesman's flag cutsshort his celebrations. It looked very tight...
70
WALCOTT HAS A POP: Giroud releases Saturday's hat-trick hero on the edge of the box, but his shot is straight at Boruc
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
I think Walcott could have taken a stride or two more, but after his ragged start Boruc is a keeper who needs to be tested right now.
67
WELL HELD: Ramirez flights a free-kick into the box. It beats everyone and is well held by Szczesny
Top Comments:
@LSBalb on Twitter says:
Rosicky ON , we need fresh mind and old fashion style in middle area
65
PUNCHEON GOES CLOSE: His crisp right-footed drive goes into the side-netting from a tight angle
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal failing to defend well. The only thing I will say is that they have been able to get bodies in the way. Certainly Southampton are giving as much as they are getting now
@thegoonersphere on Twitter says:
Still think we'll win as Southampton should tire more easily, and when that happens won't be able to deal with Walcott's pace
63
Yellow Card YELLOW CARD: Schneiderlin cynically hacks down Cazorla as the Spaniard weaved his way through midfield
62
BIG LET-OFF: Szczesny parries Schneiderlin's cross into the path of Lambert, who slips at the vital moment
61
TATICAL SWITCH: Giroud is now operating through the middle, with Oxlade-Chamberlain on the left and Walcott on the right of a three-pronged attack
58
Substitution HERE COMES GIROUD: The striker, who netted a brace against Newcastle on Saturday, is on for Podolski
Top Comments:
@GabTheGooner79 on Twitter says:
Think this game might suit Giroud
56
SZCZESNY AGAIN: The resulting corner bounces off Sagna and the Arsenal No 1 mdoes well to save from point-blank range
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
I think that was off the legs or knees of Bacary Sagna. Let off for Arsenal but Southampton are turning the screw here.
56
GOOD SAVE SZCZESNY: Do Prado's thumping drive is well palmed behind for a corner
55
SUBS WARMING UP: Ramsey, Gervinho and Giroud are all limbering up on the sideline. Is Wenger about to reshuffle his pack?
53
#SFCvAFC: Tweet us and let us know your thoughts on the game. As ever, we'll publish a selection of your thoughts right here
51
WILSHERE IN THE WARS: Ramirez catches the England international in the face with a high boot
Top Comments:
@michael_bhujel on Twitter says:
One thing I admire the most about Wilshere; he knows he will be hurt but still he never backs down from a challenge.
50
NERVY MOMENTS FOR THE HOSTS: Boruc is forced to race from his goal and clear after Yoshida's weak back-pass nearly let Walcott in
49
IT'S A BIG 45 MINUTES FOR ARSENAL: With Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United all winning earlier today, Wenger's team will be desperate for three points
46
LAMBERT HEADS ACROSS GOAL: But his cushioned effort is cleared away from the danger zone
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
No one was really taking care of that for Arsenal. Arsenal's defence does not look as authoritative as it should.
Kick Off WE'RE BACK UNDERWAY: Southampton kick us off and immediately hoist a long ball deep into the Arsenal half
45
REMINDER: We've got a Fans' Forum straight after the game - make sure you stay tuned in!
Half Time HALF-TIME: Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
Top Comments:
@NI_Gooner on Twitter says:
Southampton defending deep to stifle Walcott. Stick Giroud on and they won't know what to do. Game will open up, lambs to slaughter
45
IT'S IN... BUT IT WON'T COUNT: Wilshere releases Walcott, who, from an offside position, slots past Boruc. The flag is rightly raised and the effort does not stand
Top Comments:
@MoteniTolu on Twitter says:
WAAAALLLCOTT!!!! OMG! Clearly offside. Scored but its been ruled out. Brilliant finish it was. Unfortunately.
45
IS THAT HANDBALL? Arsenal appeal after Cork, on the edge of the area, gets in the way of Podolski's attempted pass. Probert waves the protests away
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
The reaction of the Arsenal players suggest there was a lot to that handball claim
@Sturty_man1 on Twitter says:
Debatable handball that actually personally probably wouldn't of given it myself but we defo had a claim. they had a pen claim 2 tho
43
WHO'S ON THE END OF IT? Oxlade-Chamberlain sees a dangerous low cross whistle across the face of goal and away
43
WELL DONE GIBBS: Puncheon looked destined to meet Do Prado's lay=off just yards out, but the left back covers well to clear
42
THE LEAD LASTED SIX MINUTES: It's a great response by Wenger's men. They threaten again, but Wilshere is dispossessed just outside the area
Top Comments:
Freddy Kwenda on Facebook says:
I knew dat they wil bounce back but, very concern about goals we conceding
41
IT WAS AN OWN GOAL: Walcott's dangerous free-kick from the left was flicked by Do Prado past the stranded Boruc
41
GOAL! - Guly Do Prado 1 : 1 GOAL FOR ARSENAL! The visitors are level!
39
CAN ARSENAL RESPOND? They are starting to see a lot more of the ball but, after some sustained pressure, Ssagna's cross is easily held by Boruc
35
ARSENAL COULDN'T CLEAR: The visitors were unable to get the ball out of the area and Ramirez punished them by lashing a powerful shot beyond Szczesny
Top Comments:
@cuvintu on Twitter says:
Right now we just look like we're waiting for them to wear themselves out before we...you know...attack
35
GOAL! - Gaston Ramirez 1 : 0 GOAL FOR SOUTHAMPTON: It's Ramirez with it
34
QUIET: Both sides are cancelling each other out, with no real opportunities being created at either end
30
DOWN GOES RAMIREZ: After embarking on a surging run, the Uruguayan falls under Koscielny's challenge on the edge of the area, though Probert is again unmoved
28
ARSENAL PUSH FORWARD: But After Arteta finds Sagna in space on the right, the Frenchman's cross is easily cleared from danger
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
There was a good tempo in the opening 10 minutes, but there's been very little in the last 18.
26
IT COMES TO NOTHING: Lambert clears, and Gibbs has to get the ball away from danger at the other end under pressure from Puncheon
Top Comments:
FC_Luzern_1901 on Twitter says:
Doesn't look like a easy win for us today. Southampton is getting better with every minute. Walcott isolated.
25
CORNER: Oxlade-Chamberlain robs the defender and feeds Walcott, whose effort is blocked behind
22
HE SHOULD BE OKAY: After a spot of treatment, Probert waves Wilshere back on. That was a real heart-in-mouth moment for Arsene Wenger
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
I don't think it's any coincidence that we are back and form and Jack Wilshere is looking sharp again.
21
JACK'S DOWN: Wilshere collides with Ramirez in the Arsenal half. The physio is on and things don't look too good for the midfielder...
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Jack Wilshere is not a player who wants to be down. I think he might have gotten a knee in the unmentionables if you know what I mean.
18
GOOD SPELL FOR THE HOSTS: Southampton are keeping the ball intelligently and pushing Arsenal back a touch
Top Comments:
@Martynbuxton on Twitter says:
Southampton don't look like they are going to roll over today going to have to work hard for the 3 points
16
GET IN TOUCH: Richard Clarke and Dan Roebuck are sitting just along from me here at St Mary's, and both are eager to get their teeth into some of your questions and queries. You can e-mail them via www.arsenal.com/studio
14
END-TO-END: Vermaelen executes a last-ditch tackle to prevent Ramirez from going through on goal
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
14 minutes in and Arsenal look like they've taken the foot off the gas a bit after a really bright start.
13
ALMOST AN OPENING FOR PODOLSKI: He can't quite divert Wilshere's clever pass goalwards
12
TENACIOUS STUFF: Both teams are throwing themselves into challenges in midfield
10
NICE PLAY BY THE HOSTS: A free-flowing move ends with Davis slipping the ball through to the dangerous Lambert, who was just offside
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
That's the first time we've seen it from Southampton. They can score goals.
7
PENALTY APPEAL: Yoshida goes down under Vermaelen's challenge in the box but referee Probert waves play on
6
ALL ARSENAL: Oxlade-Chamberlain gets into a good position and sees his cross deflected into the side-netting
Top Comments:
@TweetingArsenal on Twitter says:
Looks like we are playing down the right from the get go to try and test out this Luke shaw kid to see what he's got. Smart move
6
AND AGAIN: Sagna's low cross from the right is spilled and hastily hacked away
Top Comments:
@ltookey1 on Twitter says:
If we going to play the crossing game we need giroud on the field.
5
BORUC DROPS THE CORNER: The Polish goalkeeper spills the ball under no apparent pressure. Unfortunately for Arsenal, no player can react quickly enough to turn it home
5
CAZORLA HAS A POP: His effort from fully 25 yards takes a wicked deflection and bounces behind for a corner
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal very offensive right from the get-go. It's a good, positive start for Arsenal.
4
OUCH: Sagna and Davis contest a high ball and the Southampton player comes off worse. He's okay to continue though
2
SOLID START: The visitors have had a lot of possession, with the majority of the play taking place in the Southampton half
Kick Off THE GUNNERS GET US GOING: Come on Arsenal!
GREAT SUPPORT: Arsenal's loyal army of traveling fans have started 2013 as they ended 2012 on the road - With a sold out away end
BIG DAY FOR THEO AND THE OX: The pair are returning to their former clubs. Both will be keen to continue their excellent recent form at their old stomping ground
HERE COME THE TEAMS: It looks like a full house at St Mary's to greet the teams
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
All of the teams around us are winning so it puts a bit of pressure on us. But I think we can go out and come back with all three points. I'm going 3-1 Arsenal.
HAVE YOUR SAY: What do you think of the Arsenal line-up? Let us know on Twitter. Our dedicated hashtag for the game is #SFCvAFC
Top Comments:
@MadRuskiGunner on Twitter says:
no room for error today Arsenal. Other results demand nothing but three points. Which I am absolutely positive we will get
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK: It's Wilshere's 21st birthday today. I'm sure the perfect present will be three points here
SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Kelvin Davis, Hooiveld, Richardson, Mayuka, Ward-Prowse, De Ridder, Rodriguez
SOUTHAMPTON TEAM: Boruc, Yoshida, Fonte, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Cork, Davis, Puncheon, Ramirez, Do Prado, Lambert
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
I'm delighted to see Ricky Lambert get his chance in the Premier League. He's an old-fashioned centre forward. We've got to watch him today because he's very aggressive in the box
ARSENAL SUBS: Martinez, Mertesacker, Coquelin, Ramsey, Rosicky, Gervinho, Giroud
ARSENAL TEAM: Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Walcott
Top Comments:
@AmanG93 on Twitter says:
You know Walcott and Chambo are both gonna cause trouble against their old team.
THE TEAM NEWS IS IN: Arsenal are unchanged from the side that beat Newcastle on Saturday, with Per Mertesacker returning to the squad after missing the weekend's win with illness
Our Matchday Show is now well underway - login now for all the build-up to today's game with Richard Fleming and Stephen Hughes
#SFCvAFC: That's the hashtag to use if you're joining the conversation on Twitter. We'll publish some of your comments right here
The show gets underway at 5pm (UK time) with former Gunner Stephen Hughes alongside host Richard Fleming. You can contact them via www.arsenal.com/studio
Happy New Year and welcome to Arsenal Player for our first game of 2013. Arsene Wenger's team have traveled to St Mary's to take on Southampton and you can follow all the action in our Matchday Show
Top Comments:
@Dan_Mac94 on Twitter says:
Come on Arsenal! Make it 5 Premier League victories in a row!
Southampton
31 BORUC, Artur
06 FONTE, Jose
03 YOSHIDA, Maya
23 SHAW, Luke
42 PUNCHEON, Jason
18 CORK, Jack
08 DAVIS, Steven
04 SCHNEIDERLIN, Morgan
21 DO PRADO, Guly
33 DE RIDDER, Steve (83)
10 RAMIREZ, Gaston
16 WARD-PROWSE, James (77)
07 LAMBERT, Rickie
09 RODRIGUEZ, Jay (74)
01 DAVIS, KELVIN
05 HOOIVELD, JOS
09 RODRIGUEZ, JAY
16 WARD-PROWSE, JAMES
22 RICHARDSON, FRAZER
24 MAYUKA, EMMANUEL
33 DE RIDDER, STEVE
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
03 SAGNA, Bacary
05 VERMAELEN, Thomas
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
28 GIBBS, Kieran
08 ARTETA, Mikel
10 WILSHERE, Jack
19 CAZORLA, Santi
16 RAMSEY, Aaron (74)
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, Alex
27 GERVINHO (74)
09 PODOLSKI, Lukas
12 GIROUD, Olivier (58)
14 WALCOTT, Theo
59 MARTINEZ, DAMIAN
04 MERTESACKER, PER
22 COQUELIN, FRANCIS
16 RAMSEY, AARON
07 ROSICKY, TOMAS
27 GERVINHO,
12 GIROUD, OLIVIER
Top Comments:
@plunkman on Twitter says:
Southampton has the bus parked in front of the goal now.