The Premier League title is now Manchester City’s to lose! Arsenal dropped two more points after only managing a 3-3 draw with Southampton on Friday night. Even though they scored twice in dying minutes to salvage a point, the result still sees them throw away the pole position in the Premier League race. The Gunners now have five points more than second-placed Manchester City, but the reigning champions crucially have two games in hand.Astonishingly, Arsenal allowed the bottom-placed side to score in the first minute – and they were left chasing shadows for most of the night at the Emirates. If dropped points against in successive 2-2 draws with Liverpool and Liverpool were painful, then tonight was absolutely tragic for Mikel Arteta’s team.Of the two quickest goals of the EPL season – Arsenal have conceded both. It’s not a good stat to boast, especially if you’re trying to win the league. It suggests a general lack of concentration. And that’s how they started this match. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale gave the ball away to Carlos Alcaraz, who guided the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the area.Top of the Premier League: 1. Arsenal – 75 pts (+43 GD) 2. Man City – 70 pts (+50 GD) – Two games in hand Relegation battle: 17. Everton – 27 pts (-22 GD) 18. Forest – 27 pts (-32 GD) 19. Leicester City – 25 pts (-14 GD) 20. Southampton – 24 pts (-29 GD) 🍿🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/gGwqbBjtcj— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 21, 2023 It should have been a warning for the Gunners, but they didn’t heed anything. With less than a quarter-hour gone, the scoreline read 0-2. Alcaraz threaded an excellent ball through for former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott to fire beyond Ramsdale and stun the home crowd at the Emirates.Oleksandr Zinchenko staged a mini-team meeting after before Arsenal kicked off, demanding more from everyone. There was still plenty of time. But the question was: whether the league leaders would use that time wisely?Gabriel Martinelli halved the deficit on 20 minutes with a fine finish from a Bukayo Saka pass, and Arteta’s team was back in the game. Suddenly, it looked like the league leaders were on top of the game, and it was only a matter of time before they turned the game around. Oh, how football can make you look silly!##NAJAVA_MECA_7198406##In the midst of Arsenal’s waves of attacks, it was Southampton who scored again, Duje Caleta-Car heading in at the far post following a 66th-minute corner. To add to the insult and irony, the Croat had only come off the bench late in the first half after fellow defender Jan Bednarek had to come off as a precaution after a heavy fall on his neck. The bottom team had restored a two-goal lead. Arsenal looked dead – but there was still breath in their lungs.Captain Martin Odegaard gave his team some hope with a nice left-footed strike with two minutes of the regular time remaining. And when Bukayo Saka made it 3-3 in the first minute of added time, the stadium exploded with joy. But despite giving everything they’ve got, Arteta’s players couldn’t find what would have been a sensational winner. Substitute Leandro Trossard skimmed the crossbar with a long-range shot and the Saints defended bravely until the end to salvage a potentially crucial point in their bid to avoid relegation.GOAL!!!! ARSENAL HAVE EQUALIZED! SAKA MAKES IT 3-3! #ARSSOU pic.twitter.com/BTNhiTXHxK— The Premier League Club (@TPLCSports) April 21, 2023 For a long time, Manchester City fans had to watch Arsenal’s games and hope they would slip up. Tonight, the tables have turned. The title is now in the Cityzens’ hands.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 32FridayArsenal – Southampton 3-3 (1-2)/Martinelli 20, Odegaard 88, Saka 90+1 – Alcaraz 1, Walcott 14, Caleta-Car 66/Saturday14:30: (2.45) Fulham (3.50) Leeds (3.05)17:00: (2.60) Brentford (3.35) Aston Villa (2.90)17:00: (2.15) Crystal Palace (3.30) Everton (3.90)17:00: (2.50) Leicester (3.35) Wolverhampton (3.05)17:00: (1.20) Liverpool (7.75) Nott.Forest (16.0)Sunday16:00: (2.95) Bournemouth (3.25) West Ham (2.65)16:00: (1.90) Newcastle (3.50) Tottenham (4.10)***odds are subject to change***
