A season that promised so much for Arsenal is unravelling fast and starting to take a rather ominous shape. Mikel Arteta strode down the tunnel with a face like thunder after fidgeting his way through a third successive defeat – and a fourth in five matches – that threatens to impede seriously their pursuit of returning to the Champions League.
The rejuvenated Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster kept Arsenal at bay, making superb saves in each half, but this was another toothless performance from Arteta’s side and, if he was not already worried at the way his team are spiralling, he will surely be fretting now, particularly given they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday before matches against Manchester United and West Ham.