Arsenal need to respond quickly if they are to reassert themselves at the top of the Premier League table. Having held an eight point gap over Manchester City less than two months ago that can be cut to just one point by this time next week.
It comes after the Gunners fell to a second 2-2 draw in a row, giving up a two-goal lead in both away games against West Ham and Liverpool. Both games were dramatic and had missed penalties but with Manchester City hotting up down the final straight there is no time to look back.
Mikel Arteta's men have a chance to establish a game between themselves and their nearest challengers once more on Friday when they welcome struggling Southampton to the Emirates Stadium. When the two sides met in October Saints were just the second team to take any points off Arsenal in the opening 11 games.
