Title hopefuls Arsenal welcomed in-form Southampton to the Emirates on a three-game winless streak in the Premier League on Tuesday night.
The Gunners were looking to build on their FA Cup fourth-round success over Burnley on Saturday, but were unable to do so as they failed to score for three straight league games for the first time in seven years.
Fraser Forster starred in goal for the visitors, who kept their fourth clean sheet in a row, and you can relive all the action with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Evening all! No boring Tuesday and Wednesday nights this week, we have a full set of Premier League games, including eight to feast on tonight. Here we'll be focussing on the Emirates and Arsenal vs. Southampton - a match which has all the makings of a belter.
First thing to bring you news of is the two lineups, which have just been released. A certain Chilean is back in Arsenal's Premier League starting lineup...
ARSENAL XI: Cech; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Ramsey; Campbell, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud
Subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Chambers, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott
Subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Chambers, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott
Don't drool too much, Gunners fans..
It's two changes from Arsene Wenger from the Gunners' last Premier League match against Chelsea. Theo Walcott drops out at Sanchez's expense, while in defence Gabriel is preferred to Per Mertesacker.
SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster; Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Wanyama, Romeu, Ward-Prowse; Tadic, Long, Mane
Subs: Stekelenburg, Yoshida, Clasie, Martina, Pelle, Juanmi, Targett
Subs: Stekelenburg, Yoshida, Clasie, Martina, Pelle, Juanmi, Targett
As for the Saints, Ronald Koeman also makes two changes. They're both in midfield, with Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse in for Jordy Clasie and Matt Targett.
You may have noticed, but there's NO CHARLIE AUSTIN in the squad tonight after he scored the winner at Old Trafford on his debut last time out. I was wondering if he would start tonight, but the Saints have just said on Twitter that he is carrying a slight knock and has not been risked tonight.
Just finishing up the analysis of that Southampton lineup. They've bulked up in midfield with Romeu and Wanyama, as well as the set-piece ability of Ward-Prowse. Long will scurry around and hustle the hosts' defence and Koeman might be a little annoyed that Mertesacker is not playing as Long's pace might have caused the big German some problems.
It's a real surprise to see Gabriel keep his place alongside Koscielny in the hosts' backline. Mertesacker served his one-match ban for the red card against Chelsea in the FA Cup fourth round against Burnley at the weekend, so was fully expected to return tonight. Alexis was always going to get back in after looking bright in his first two appearances after two months out and it was always going to be Walcott or Campbell to miss out.
The Saints players look pretty happy in those photos and it's easy to think why. They have won Premier League three games in a row since going out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle to Crystal Palace earlier this month, not conceding in any of those matches.
Unsurprisingly, those three straight clean sheets have directly coincided with the return of England goalkeeper Fraser Forster after about 10 months out with a serious knee injury. Safe hands 👐
The Saints' strong recent form has seen them climb back into the top half and up to eighth, just four points behind Man Utd, the team they beat last time out, in fifth.
One of the seven teams above Southampton are Arsenal, who enter matchday 24 third and three points behind Leicester after they were beaten 1-0 at home by Chelsea, who were helped by the aforementioned red card to Mertesacker. Wenger's men edged out Burnley on Saturday to reach the last 16 of the FA Cup, but they are without a win in three league games and it will not be easy to end that winless stretch tonight.
Here are some pre-match thoughts from Saints boss Koeman:
As mentioned earlier, this is one of eight games tonight and all of the top-half teams are in action. I'll be bringing you updates on big goals involving those at the top, but if you want updates on everything then you can find more dedicated commentaries here. @SM_LiveScores is the account to follow on Twitter for the GOALS as they go in.
STAT: Wenger has come up against Koeman on 10 occasions as Arsenal manager, winning just two of those matches (D4 L4).
One of those failures was in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day when Southampton caused a huge upset by defeating Arsenal 4-0. In all honesty, the scoreline flattered the Saints a bit - they only had five shots on target - but it was still an impressive win against a side that had won four games in a row.
REFEREE WATCH: The man in the middle tonight is Lee Mason, who was in charge of Norwich 4-5 Liverpool on the Premier League's last matchday. Let's hope we have nine more goals tonight!
Despite Koeman's solid record as a manager against Wenger, Arsenal are unbeaten in 20 league matches at home to Southampton since a 1-0 defeat in November 1987 (W15, D5). The last two meetings, however, were both at St Mary's and victory for the visitors tonight would be the first time in 48 years that the Saints have won three league games in a row against the Gunners.
Should have captained him on fantasy football 🙈
PREDICTION: This really could go either way tonight. Southampton are better-rested and in fine form, but Arsenal have their star player in Sanchez back in the starting lineup. I believe that the latter's importance should not be underestimated and I think that he will help fire the Gunners to a 2-1 win.
If Arsenal prove me wrong and lose tonight, it will be the first time since November 2010 in the league that they been beaten twice in a row at home in the same season.
OK, here we go then. Southampton again in their green away kit which they won at Old Trafford in last month.
KICKOFF! The visitors get us underway!
Good start from the visitors, who have had plenty of the ball in the Arsenal half and just won a free kick on the left-hand side that Ward-Prowse will be keen to whip in.
It looks a little deep from Ward-Prowse, but Cech is hesitant and has to claw the ball away from goal and concede a corner.
Cech deals with the resulting set piece a little better, rising up and claiming the ball in the box to ease the danger. Still, Southampton will be encouraged by this start.
UPDATE: The first goal of the night in the top flight is scored after just two minutes by Spurs midfielder Dele Alli, who puts the visitors up at Norwich. What that means is that Spurs are above Arsenal and up to second as it stands!
Arsenal love a neat one-two and one almost comes off here between Ozil and Giroud before Bertrand cuts it out at the last minute.
A second corner for the visitors, but once again Cech plucks it out of the air with ease. Too close to the keeper from Ward-Prowse.
Incisive pass into the middle from Mane to find Long and Koscielny is a little off-balance, but Long takes a poor touch, awful in fact, and the ball goes through to Cech.
SAVE! So close for Arsenal. Alexis picks the ball up on the halfway and floats the ball over the Southampton defence for Ozil, who takes a gorgeous touch before firing quickly at goal. Forster has hardly any time to react, but he does well to keep it out with his left foot.
Back come Southampton and Mane tries his luck from a tight angle, with Cech saving comfortably.
UPDATE: More bad news for Arsenal as Man City take the lead at Sunderland through Mr Aguero.
Arsenal are not doing a lot in this game and the live table does not make great reading if you're a Gunners fan: 1. Leicester 48 2. City 47 3. Spurs 47 4. Arsenal 45
Southampton win another free kick out on the left and Ward-Prowse again overhits it. The England Under-21 international is ususally superb with his delivery, but he's been a little off tonight.
WHAT A SAVE! Oh my goodness! Forster has just made an incredible save! I mentioned beforehand that Southampton had kept three clean sheets since his return and if he keeps doing this then surely it'll be number four tonight! Giroud didn't time his header, but Ozil was alert and prodded the ball at goal from about six yards, with Forster somehow tipping the ball wide. Hard to say just how good that was.
Tadic down! Sniper in the building!
You have to credit Southampton for the start that they made, but Arsenal are just beginning to take more and more control, with Ozil their brightest player so far.
UPDATE: Spurs now lead 2-0 at Norwich thanks to a Harry Kane while Man Utd lead at home Stoke through Jesse Lingard. Repeat, Man Utd have scored a first-half goal at Old Trafford.
SHOT! Second shot on target of the night for Southampton as Tadic lines one up from 20 yards that he curls far too close to Cech.
CLOSE! The Arsenal net ripples, but it's not a goal as Romeu's curler from 25 yards beats Cech but also the crossbar. Decent effort and the Gunners keeper was certainly worried.
Great snap of that superb Forster save from Ozil
That close-range Ozil effort which Forster denied is by far the closest that we've come to a goal from either side. Southampton frustrated Man Utd superbly in their last game and they're doing a pretty good job of it again here.
UPDATE: They must wonder what on earth is going on at Old Trafford - Man Utd lead 2-0 as Anthony Martial produces a top finish.
Third corner of the half for Southampton as Flamini slides in to clear.
CHANCE! The initial delivery comes to nothing, but Arsenal fail to fully clear and Van Dijk flicks it on for Mane to go through on goal. It's a really good chance for the forward, but he can't quite get his feet set and he scuffs it well wide.
Sanchez has been pretty quiet this half, but he's just produced a lovely cross into the middle where Giroud stooped to flick at goal. Fonte was with him all the way, though, and blocked his goalbound header.
Ward-Prowse with some excellent last-ditch defending to stab the ball away from Ozil on the six-yard line just as the German was about to pull the trigger.
Only one minute of added time.
HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 0-0 SOUTHAMPTON
Not much in that half, with both teams having the odd chance. Ozil was the hosts' biggest threat and was denied on two occasions by superb Forster saves. Southampton's best chance fell to Mane, who tugged his effort wide. Back soon for the second half!
Right then folks, we're back and so are the teams on the turf in North London. Forster made two fine saves from Ozil to keep it level before the break, but Arsenal didn't do much else. Goalless felt about right at half time.
KICKOFF! Back underway at the Emirates, with no changes from either manager.
The home side start the second half with purpose, but Ozil's intended cross for the back post hits Giroud at the near and goes out for a goal kick.
SAVE! Forster at it again! This time he jumps up to his left and uses his right hand to push Giroud's excellent first-time effort wide. What a performance so far from the Saints' stopper.
Gulp
Ozil gets in behind Southampton's defence, but his cutback misses all three of his teammates in the box. Arsenal started the first half slowly, but it's the opposite here.
CHANCE! Mane intercepts Gabriel's lazy pass and sprints at Koscielny before shifting the ball to the right and firing straight at Cech. Should have done better there.
SAVE! Easier save this time for Forster as he dives to his left to hold Giroud's header from Sanchez's corner.
Wenger does his best Clint Eastwood impression
UPDATE: Leicester take the lead against Liverpool and it's a wonderstrike from Vardy! West Ham also in front against 10-man Villa.
BOOKING! First yellow card to Saints right-back Cedric for a foul on Sanchez.
ARSENAL SUB: No surprise to see Walcott brought on and Campbell, who had done very little, is of.
Walcott's first involvement is to send over a cross that Sanchez meets only to be denied by Forster.
DOUBLE SAVE! A loose ball breaks to Walcott in loads of space on the right. Forster keeps him out once and then gets up quickly to keep out the rebound as well. What a performance from the keeper!
Everyone's reaction!
CHANCE! Forster not needed this time as Koscielny gets up and heads over from close range. All Arsenal at the moment!
OFF THE LINE! Forster beaten as Sanchez shoots low, but Ward-Prowse is there on the line to clear away. How is it still goalless?!
UPDATE: Vardy again as Leicester double their lead against Liverpool. Arsenal are five points behind the leaders as it stands.
Click here to see the live table, with Arsenal fourth behind Leicester, City and Spurs. Bad night so far for the Gunners!
No action at the moment because of an injury to Fonte, who is being bandaged up. Looks like he'll be OK to continue.
SAVE! Ozil's free kick is met by Giroud, but Forster is there once more to tip it over. That's eight Arsenal shots on target, all denied by the Englishman.
SAINTS SUB: Change in midfield for the visitors, with Ward-Prowse off and Juanmi on.
SAVE! FRASER FORSTER!!! Lovely one-two in the area from Ozil and Sanchez before the latter has time to shoot but Forster spreads himself and makes another fine, fine save. What a display between the sticks.
SUBS: More subs, with Mane off and Targett on for Southampton and Coquelin on for Flamini for Arsenal.
BOOKING! Coquelin booked just moments after coming on after taking out Long. Not long left now!
BOOKING! Another yellow card for the hosts, as Gabriel chops down Targett. Free kick on the left wing for Southampton.
SIX minutes of added time at the Emirates. Huge this for Arsenal, especially with everyone else around them currently winning.
Ramsey tries his luck from the edge of the box, but that's easy for Forster.
Not much going on at the Emirates, with Southampton actually looking the more dangerous.
FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 0-0 SOUTHAMPTON
It's the first time in SEVEN YEARS that Arsenal have gone three Premier League games without a goal.
Click here to see the latest Premier League table, with Arsenal down to fourth and now five points behind Leicester. The other five teams in the top six all won (Man Utd are 3-0 up) tonight. Usualy February collapse from Wenger's side?
Aaaanyway, that's us done here. Thanks a lot for joining us and please do stick around on Sports Mole for our match reports and reaction from across the Premier League. For more live action, we'll be back tomorrow for Everton vs. Newcastle and Watford vs. Chelsea. See you then!
