ARTETA: ONE GOAL IS NEVER ENOUGH IN THIS LEAGUE

MIKEL ARTETA believes Arsenal were taught a painful lesson by Southampton, who battled back yesterday to take a point off the Premier League leaders. Arsenal led for nearly an hour through Granit Xhaka’s (below) early goal and could have put the game to bed by half-time. But the visitors were guilty of missing several golden chances, with Gabriel Jesus particularly wasteful at St Mary’s. Southampton stirred in the second half and Stuart Armstrong scored their equaliser with 25 minutes to go.

‘I am frustrated,’ said Arteta. ‘We couldn’t put the ball into the net. In the Premier League, one goal is never enough.

‘We had three or four good opportunities and should have scored more. We needed two or three goals, but only scored one. It’s disappointing. We created enough chances but couldn’t put the ball away. ‘It’s a lesson because we wanted to win again.’

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have now taken five points from three matches to move three points clear of the relegation zone and the manager was pleased with his side’s response after the break.

‘We didn’t give away chances in the second half and took our chances thanks to counter attacks,’ he said.

‘The goal was brilliant. This is what we try, to be brave with the ball. It didn’t always work, it sometimes doesn’t against such top teams, but we tried it all the time and it was good to see.’ Southampton had Gavin Bazunu to thank during the first half. The goalkeeper made several key saves, including from Jesus who has now gone five matches without a goal.

‘I’m sure today he will be disappointed because he had the chances to put them away,’ said Arteta.

‘Knowing Gabi he’s disappointed when he scores two goals and could have scored three or four so he can do that.

‘But he’s having the chances and he’s always there. He gives so much to the team and it’s a shame he couldn’t put them away today.’

The Brazil striker said: ‘When we scored the goal, we kept playing our game and creating chances — I had a few chances.

‘I think we can increase the level again, as a team and as an individual. We have to concentrate more, focus more without the ball. We go home today a little upset because of the way we played, we should have scored more goals and then we win the game.’