Arsenal fail to close top-four gap after superb Forster display

Arsenal failed to take the opportunity to close the top-four gap as Jan Bednarek's first-half goal plus an inspired display from goalkeeper Fraser Forster gave Southampton a 1-0 victory.

The Gunners knew a victory would move them level on points with rivals Tottenham, who lost 1-0 at home to Brighton earlier in the day, but they could not find a way past Forster and instead suffered their third consecutive defeat.

Bednarek gave Southampton the lead a minute before half-time after the Saints 'keeper had brilliantly denied Bukayo Saka from scoring early on.

The 34-year-old then made a string of fine saves in the second half, with Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette missing after testing positive for Covid, to give the hosts their first victory in six matches.

Gabriel Martinelli forced the first save from Forster in the ninth minute when he cut in from the right and sent a bending shot towards the far corner which the goalkeeper parried away.

But Forster's best stop - and perhaps of the season - came from a Southampton mistake inside their own half. Yan Valery telegraphed his pass into Lyanco allowing Eddie Nketiah to intercept and he moved the ball out to Martinelli, who crossed for Saka but his close-range effort was wonderfully pushed behind by the right hand of Forster.

Nuno Tavares returned to the Arsenal team at left-back for the first time since he was hauled off at half-time against Crystal Palace earlier this month. He had a solid 70 minutes and drew two fouls in the Southampton final third during the first half, the second resulting in Cedric Soares firing the set piece over when crossing into the box was the better option.

Arsenal dominated possession with Southampton unable to launch any meaningful