Arsenal pay price for tired second half as Gunners drop two points at Southampton

Arsenal drew a Premier League game for the first time this season following a tired second-half showing at Southampton on Sunday.

The Gunners came into this fixture with nine wins from their previous 10 Premier League games and looked set to take their victories into double figures during a rampant opening first 45 minutes on the south coast.

Former captain Granit Xhaka fired Arsenal into the lead after just 11 minutes at St Mary's following an excellent cross from Ben White and the Gunners created chances to extend their advantage in the remainder of the first half.

But it was a more tired display from Arteta's side after the interval and Southampton levelled through Stuart Armstrong with 65 minutes on the clock.

Arsenal had been in action on Thursday night in the Europa League, beating PSV Eindhoven 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

And even though Arteta rested a number of first-choice players for that match, the Gunners are beginning to look somewhat fatigued amid a congested period of fixtures.

Arsenal remain top of the table, but are now just two points ahead of second-placed Manchester City with 11 fixtures played.