Arsenal looked like they were going to have to settle for a draw at home to Southampton. Then Jose Fonte fouled Olivier Giroud in the box.
Arsenal started the season in the worst possible way, conceding four goals against Liverpool on the first day of the season. They’ve been slowly improving since then, but looked like they might lose their momentum after conceding early against Southampton.
Dusan Tadic forced an excellent save from Petr Cech off a free-kick, but the ball ricocheted off the bar, onto Cech’s back and into the goal. Arsenal got back into the game shortly after when Laurent Koscielny scored.
The game looked like it was heading towards a draw despite and end-to-end second half in which both teams missed several excellent opportunities in front of goal. Then, well into second half stoppage time, Arsenal were awarded a penalty when Jose Fonte fouled Olivier Giroud in the box.
Southampton’s players all protested the decision, not that that tells us anything about whether it was a foul. The penalty came after a sustained spell of Arsenal possession and leaves the Gunners on seven points after four games. That isn’t title-winning form, but for historically slow starters, it isn’t a complete disaster either.
New signings Lucas Perez and Shkodran Mustafi both started the game, and looked solid on their debuts. Perez couldn’t get a goal and Mustafi wasn’t able to keep a clean sheet, but it was hard to criticize either of their performances.
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Southampton, meanwhile, will be concerned after winning only two points from their first four games. It has been a difficult start for new manager Cluade Puel. His team played plenty of exciting, attacking soccer against Arsenal, but their inability to put the game away after taking the lead was reflective of a shaky defense.