Southampton 1-1 Arsenal: Saints out of the relegation zone

Southampton are out of the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in New Year’s Day final Premier League fixture.

The result leaves the Gunners fifth in the table, four points behind Chelsea in the race for a Champions League place, having played a game more.

The Saints took the lead when Gaston Ramirez’s low drive beat two defenders, and Wojciech Szczesny in goal, to open the scoring.

But just seven minutes later Arsenal hit back when Theo Walcott whipped in a dangerous ball which deflected off Guly do Prado to level the scores.

Southampton, and Ramirez, should have had a second midway through the second-half when he controlled the ball well, from a Ricky Lambert pass, swivelled and buried the ball into the net, only to be judged offside. Replays showing the Uruguayan’s goal should have stood.

There were late chances for both sides but, in truth, a draw was a fair result.