Despite needing to bounce back after the defeat to Manchester United last weekend, Arsenal showed very little desire to do so against Southampton.

Arsenal fans’ fury has been reignited after another shambolic display away to Southampton. It seems as if the passion we harnessed when we beat Spurs has dissolved and we’ve reverted to how we were playing earlier in the campaign against the likes of Watford.

Charlie Austin put Arsenal on the back foot from the third minute after Per Mertesacker, who was standing in for the injured Shkodran Mustafi, fell over and allowed the Southampton man to run through.

Two minutes later, the centre-back was caught out again as Austin fired at our goal but this time Petr Cech kept it out.

A third strike from Austin what felt like seconds later was fortunately called offside after it bounced off the post. It was let-off for Arsenal who were a defensive shambles – just like they had been against Manchester United last weekend.

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At the other end, the Saints were compact and disciplined at the back. The Gunners’ tentative attacks during the opening exchanges for snuffed out before they even really began and the home side were looking confident.

Every time Southampton – or more specifically – Ryan Bertrand got the ball, they were steaming up the other end and looked dangerous. Whereas, when Arsenal got the ball, they tapped it around coolly, not really troubling their opposition.

Alexandre Lacazette did have a chance to get a shot away after Alexis Sanchez fizzed a ball in and Aaron Ramsey passed it to the striker in the box. However, he was crowded by Southampton players and his shot was saved.

The Gunners then had the chance to attack at pace after Southampton had a corner. However, Hector Bellerin misjudged his cross, picking out Laca on the break instead of Mesut Ozil who was in acres of space to the Frenchman’s right. Again, a last-ditch tackle was made by the Saints to deny the 26-year-old.

Rambo managed to get a shot away in the box but he scuffed the ball, so it rolled right at the goalkeeper.

Despite warming into the game, Arsenal weren’t looking massively dangerous. In fact, they were looking static, slow and sleepy.

Arsene Wenger sent his substitutes to warm up with just 20 minutes on the clock.

Austin had another chance at close-range but there were too many bodies in the way and Cech collected the loose ball.

Then it was Arsenal’s turn again as the game stretched. Ozil was the only player performing as he drove the attack forward. He passed to Alexis but the Chilean lost the ball after holding on to it and attempting to dribble into the box. Seconds later, Ozil fired the ball back into the area after the Gunners won it back but then it got caught up underneath Laca’s feet.

Rambo almost scored again but Fraser Forster pushed the shot wide.

Laca had another shot in the 41st minute but the striker suffered a heavy challenge and the ball bounced out off a Southampton player for a corner. A penalty wasn’t given.

Arsenal went in 1-0 at half-time, looking the weaker team. Even though the game had calmed down compared to the first frantic few minutes, when the Saints could have been 3-0 ahead, the home side were still piling on the pressure and Austin in particular looked deadly every time he got forward.

Arsenal were once again wasteful with the ball and despite having five shots, they’d only really threatened Forster once.

Arsenal started the second half stronger, pushing the Saints back and tapping the ball around the area. However, they were so ‘patient’ with their build-up play that they gave away possession, allowing the home side to attack again.

As much as Arsenal tried to look as if they were pushing for a goal, they didn’t actually look that lively. Whereas the Saints continued to threaten with the few attacks they had.

Oriol Romeu hit the bar with a long-range shot in the 62nd minute after Mertesacker didn’t even attempt to close him down. The German was promptly subbed off.

Danny Welbeck came on in his place as Wenger changed formation.

Sooner after, a shot from Bertrand bounced past Cech’s post after a cock-up from Laurent Koscielny.

And with that, Jack Wilshere was brought on. Much to the delight of Arsenal fans who recognised how much we needed an injection of passion and creativity.

Granit Xhaka was taken off.

Followed by Olivier Giroud, who came on in place of Laca, much to Gooners’ confusion…

Despite all their possession, the Gunners continued to do absolutely nothing. Just like against United, we had plenty of attempts to get forward but seemed allergic to actually scoring. It was boring, frustrating and embarrassing.

A late goal from super-sub Giroud saved Arsenal a point but they didn’t even deserve that.

The problem is, we seem to have reverted back to the way we were playing pre-North London Derby and no one’s doing anything to change it.

Back to square one and fans aren’t happy.