St. Totteringham's day returns in a gutsy finale but to what end, Arsenal ?

Despite the spirited end to affairs under the lights in the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal's failure to pick up maximum points is always going to be the headline, and what a way to undo what has been a sensational ride for most part of the campaign.

Three winless games, that is no champion stuff. In the two previous games before tonight, it was them blowing a two goal lead but last night, they had to chase it for arguably all game.

The point earn mean they'll finish about their North London neighbour, Tottenham Hotspur in the league this season, bringing back the Saint Totteringham's day celebration for the first time since the 2015/16 season.

However, it is an achievement that was not excitingly welcome by Arsenal fans world wide due to the inability of their team to win on the night, thereby literally surrending the league title to defending Champion, Manchester City.

A win would have also seen them secure Champions League spot on the night but even as that is inevitable, the delay in it's confirmation means their quest for the league title is falling apart.

And in recent weeks, it is no one's doing but themselves, who have invited the pressure whilst they've been comfortably ahead in Anfield and the London Stadium but faltered and dropped four points.

Four points which could have seen them maintain an eight points lead before kickoff last night. Four points which could have already delivered Saint Totteringham's day before last night and four points which could have left them in a good position ahead of the upcoming tough run of fixtures.

But nothing was the same again after they allowed West Ham United back into a game, when they've been leading and dictating the tempo of proceedings.

Again, in the Emirates on Friday night, The Arsenal let themselves down despite being under no pressure. Aaron Ramsdale had multiple options to pass the ball to but choose the most dangerous one of all.

For the second time this season, Arsenal fell behind inside the opening minutes in the Emirates Stadium as Carlos Alcaraz punished them on the night, striking the ball into the far corner to give the visitors the lead out of nowhere.

From there, they had almost 90 minutes to find an equaliser and go on to win the match but it was the visitors who strike again, as Theo Walcott gets on the end of Alcaraz's pass to make it 2-0 in the 14th minute.

The Gunners surely had been in familiar situation this season but not this early. It was mountain to climb but there was still time and six minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli pulled one back.

The 21 year old in the process equals Roberto Firmino's record for most goals by a Brazilian in a single Premier League campaign with his 15th in the competition so far.

The search for a leveler before the break with a late surge was unproductive as Southampton defender with dear life and repelled all thrown at them by the host in the latter minutes of the half.

The second half got underway and Arsenal continued to dominate. But it was the visitors, who were able to get that crucial next goal from a James Ward-Prowse's corner.

Armel Bella-Kotchap heads into the path of Duke Caleta-Car at the back post and unmarked, the Croatian heads home to restore Southampton's two goal cushion six minutes after the hour mark.

From there, it was almost game set and match for Ruben Selles's side but Arsenal responded again, when it was a little too late to maybe go on and win it.

Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka score in the space of two minutes with latter scoring in the 90th minute to level things up at 3-3.

Eight minutes was added. Eight minutes for Arsenal to try and maybe salvage their chance to continue pushing for the league title and eight minutes to earn their first win in three games.

But in the end, it was not meant to be and the spoils was shared in a frantic finale in London.

The resilient to fight adversity in such a circumstance is the only positive for Arsenal as two needless points were dropped in a game they were expected to produce a win and regain confidence ahead of the trip to the Ethiad in the mid-week.

Their only chance to maintain top spot now is to beat Manchester City in the Ethiad, a Stadium where they've not record a win since January 2015, and against a team they've not beaten in the league since the appointment of Pep Guardiola.

It's a huge task for them now, and they have to do it the hard way having been in such a comfortable position not too long ago.

Only a few portion of their own fans will be convinced of their chance of winning the league these days as City now have the advantage, and when the Citizens do at this stage of the season, it is bad news for any rival team.

Author : Kehinde Hassan Afolabi