Arsenal vs Southampton live score, updates, highlights, confirmed lineups and result as Saints lead in Premier League thriller.

After successive draws at Liverpool and West Ham, Arsenal are hoping to return to winning ways when they host Southampton in the Premier League on Friday.

The Gunners have won all four of their top-flight games at home since losing to Manchester City, the team who will trail them by seven points at the top of the table if Mikel Arteta’s side beat Saints.

City will have two games in hand, so the reigning champions will want bottom side Southampton, who are four points adrift of safety, to spring a shock.

Sporting News is following Arsenal vs. Southampton live and providing score updates, commentary, and highlights as they happen.

Arsenal: Ramsdale (GK) – White, Gabriel, Holding, Zinchenko – Odegaard, Partey, Vieira – Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

Southampton: Bazunu (GK) – Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Perraud – Walcott, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Elyounoussi – Alcaraz, Armstrong

Arsenal vs Southampton live updates, highlights from Premier League

Halftime: Arsenal 1-2 Southampton

The conclusion of the first half is even more breathless than much of the opening period has been, Arsenal firing seemingly aimless crosses into the penalty area.

Gabriel Jesus gets his head on one of them and wants a penalty for handball. The appeal fizzles out and the whistle blows.

The impact on the title race will be seismic even if Southampton only take a point here, which would leave Arsenal five points above City before they visit Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. Their title rivals will also have two games in hand whatever happens.

45 mins +5: Arsenal 1-2 Southampton

Theo Walcott charges towards the Arsenal penalty area again as the 50th minute of the first half ticks past.

Armel Bella-Kotchap keeps the danger going and Adam Armstrong ends up with the ball inside the penalty area on the left, who cuts a pass back that Arsenal clear.

45 mins +4: Arsenal 1-2 Southampton

Ben White nods a cross from the right on towards goal, looping high and down under the crossbar.

Carlos Alcaraz is Southampton’s hero again, heading it away on the line. Arsenal unsuccessfully appeal that the effort dropped over the line.

45 mins +2: Arsenal 1-2 Southampton

The pace of this confusing, brilliant game isn’t slowing. Gavin Bazunu shows uncertainty in dealing with danger, then does better to advance from his line, hockey goalkeeper style, and stop Gabriel Jesus inside the penalty area on the right.

45 mins +1: Arsenal 1-2 Southampton

There will be seven minutes of added time. Gabriel heads a delivery from the left over the bar from close range in a crowded Southampton penalty area. That might have taken a touch off Rob Holding.

45 mins: Arsenal 1-2 Southampton

Kyle Walker-Peters gives the ball away, allowing Gabriel Martinelli to reach the byline and send in a cross from the left.

James Ward-Prowse intervenes, then implores his team-mates to concentrate.

43 mins: Arsenal 1-2 Southampton

Theo Walcott troubles Arsenal on the right again, winning a throw-in near the corner flag. Then Southampton play the ball all the way back to Gavin Bazunu.

As you can probably deduce from that, they look like they’ll be happy to dwindle the minutes until halftime.

41 mins: Arsenal 1-2 Southampton

Kyle Walker-Peters is booked, which means both of Southampton’s fullbacks have now been cautioned.

Jan Bednarek is still unhappy at being substituted and making his feelings felt in the Southampton dugout. He eventually makes his way down the tunnel.

39 mins: Arsenal 1-2 Southampton

Jan Bednarek protests vehemently as he’s substituted. He’s replaced because of concussion protocols after crashing to the ground in a challenge with Gabriel Martinelli.

Duje Caleta-Car comes on for him.

37 mins: Arsenal 1-2 Southampton

The number of attempts Southampton have made in this game – four – is already more than their season average of 3.6.

That possibly says more about Arsenal’s approach to defending than Saints’ serrated cutting edge, although they struck clinically on both occasions.

35 mins: Arsenal 1-2 Southampton

Here’s that Theo Walcott goal on his return to the stadium where he played so many times. What a start for Charly Alcaraz too, contributing a goal and an assist. Kudos to any Fantasy Premier League players who had him in their team – especially for what looked a daunting fixture.