Martinelli scores as leaders Arsenal draw down the stretch with Southampton

This Friday, the leader Arsenal received last-placed Southampton and ended up drawing 3-3 in the 32nd round of the English Championship. Carlos Alcaraz, Walcott and Caleta-Car scored for the visitors, while Gabriel Martinelli, Odegaard and Saka scored and were the heroes of an improbable draw for the home team. Until 42 minutes into the second half, the score was 3-1 for Southampton.

With the draw, Arsenal remain at the top with 75 points, just five more than second-placed Manchester City, who have two games in hand. Southampton, on the other hand, reaches 24 points, remains in 20th place, but is four points away from leaving the relegation zone.

Arsenal’s next game will be decisive for the championship. The Gunners face vice-leader Manchester City on Wednesday at 4 pm (Brasília time), away from home. Southampton, on the other hand, receives Bournemouth on Thursday, at 3:45 pm, in their next commitment.

🌶️ SAKA LEVELS IT UP

⚽️ THE BIG EQUALISER

🔴 3-3 🔵 (90) pic.twitter.com/eGnirhTaJf

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 21, 2023

The game

Arsenal started the confrontation already having a scare, when Carlos Alcaraz opened the scoring for Southampton in a mistake of ball departure by goalkeeper Ramsdale with less than 30 seconds of play. Before the home team were able to react, the Premier League last-placed doubled in the 13th minute with Walcott after a great pass from Alcaraz.

After starting to dominate the actions and create more chances, Arsenal managed to reduce the marker in the 20th minute with Gabriel Martinelli after a good move by Saka on the right. Even with the best moment of the game, the Gunners still had some scares in the first half and Ramsdale was forced to work. After 45 minutes, the score was still 2-1.

On the return of the break, Southampton set up the boom and even removed their best player, Carlos Alcaraz, to reinforce the defensive sector. Even calling Arsenal to their field, the visiting team managed to find a good chance in a corner in the 21st minute and converted with a Caleta-Car header and extended the advantage.

Mikel Arteta’s team pressed on in the final stretch of the match and managed to score with Odegaard, in the 43rd minute. Shortly after, already at 45, Saka left everything the same after confusion in the Bazunu area. There was still time for Trossard to stamp the opponent’s post, but it wasn’t enough to turn the confrontation around.