Arsenal news LIVE: Gunners ‘eye’ £52.5m Milinkovic-Savic deal, Asensio BLOW, Ndicka linked, Balogun updates

Patino masterclass

On-loan Arsenal star Charlie Patino was the star of the show, as Blackpool beat Preston 4-2.

The youngster scored one and made another in the stunning victory.

Afterwards, Tangerines manager Michael Appleton was full of praises for the talented midfielder.

He told talkSPORT2: "He's a lad who, for his age, is very, very mature. I think he's capable of playing numerous positions in that midfield area.

"We've used him as a six, an eight, even as a number 10 at times. He deals with it, he copes with it, he's got an understanding of the game beyond his years.

"He can deal with the ball and move it, he's got a big future ahead of him. I think people were a little bit worried or concerned whether he could cope at this level at such a young age but I think he's proved he's more than capable of doing it."

Xhaka 'impresive'

Granit Xhaka was again Arsenal's hero, netting a goal in the 1-1 draw with Southampton.

It's the Swiss midfielder's second goal in as many games, and his manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise after the match.

"Really efficient, really consistent and really impressive," Arteta revealed to Match of the Day.

"It’s the way he wants to continue to do it."

Arsenal flying

A reminder, as a football club Arsenal are thriving in all competitions - in both the men's and women's game.

• 1st in the Premier League.

• 1st in their Europa League group.

• 1st in the Women’s Super League.

• 1st in their Women’s Champions League group.

Fans fume over Lyanco attempted headbutt

Arsenal fans feel Southampton defender Lyanco escaped a red card for an "attempted headbutt" on Eddie Nketiah.

Lyanco, 25, locked horns with second half substitute Nketiah late on in Sunday's 1-1 draw.

The Brazilian appeared to thrust his head towards Nketiah before squaring up with the England youth star.

He even appeared to put his hands on Nketiah's neck, something Gunners hero Granit Xhaka saw red for against Burnley in 2020.

But the altercation only resulted in a yellow card for the defender, which Arsenal fans feel is the wrong decision.

One said on Twitter: "Probably the worst refereeing performance I have ever seen.

"Lyanco this game punches Jesus TWICE, headbutted Nketiah, grabbed him by the neck and that’s not even mentioning all his tugs and pushes and little fouls."

Another tweeted: "Lyanco should’ve been sent off. Wasn’t fiery between two players, was one player with two examples of violent conduct.

"Referee made the wrong decision. VAR not even consulted by the looks of things."

Arteta can't hide disappointment

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal should have got more than a point at St Mary's.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Spaniard was asked if he was asked if he was unhappy with the draw.

He replied: "Yes I am, especially with the big chances we created."

Piers Morgan reminds us

Despite dropping two points at the St Mary's, they are still two points clear of Man City.

And Sun columnist Piers Morgan has tweeted the same sentiment.

Arsenal held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton

It has FINISHED at St Mary's Stadium and Southampton have taken two points from Arsenal.

The Gunners still lead the top flight but they have only stretched their lead at the top to two points.

Live Premier League scores

Some surprising live scores in the Prem this afternoon:

Aston Villa 4-0 Brentford (74′)

Leeds 1-2 Fulham (74')

Southampton 1-1 Arsenal (75′)

Wolves 0-3 Leicester (78′)

Southampton 0-1 Arsenal

There have been 58 minutes gone by at St Mary's as Arsenal attempt to continue their lead at the top.

Arteta takes advantage of Gabriel's treatment to give some orders to his players.

He does not seem happy with the start they have made to the second half.

Southampton are trying to make something happen.

Half time at St Marys

Southampton 0-1 Arsenal.

It will be interesting to see if Southampton change anything at half time to try and change the tide of this game.

They need more of a presence in the centre of the park to challenge the Arsenal defence when balls are put into the box.

Armstrong is struggling to make an impact.

Southampton 0-1 Arsenal

31 minutes in.

Confidence is such a key aspect for any side.

The Saints, despite their midweek win, look short of it.

As a result, they are struggling to get a foothold in the game.

Bad omens for Arsenal

This is the third time Arsenal have travelled to Southampton as Premier League leaders.

They have failed to win on either of the other two occasions.

Losing 3-2 in November 2002 and drawing 2-2 in January 2014.

Southampton starting XI for today's clash

Ralph Hasenhuttl makes a number of changes for the visit of the league leaders today.

31. Bazunu, 6. Caleta-Car, 4. Lyanco, 22. Salisu, 15. Perraud, 27. Diallo, 8. Ward-Prowse, 24. Elyounoussi, 7. Aribo, 17. S Armstrong, 9. A Armstrong

Merry-go-round rotation not possible, says Arteta

The Arsenal manager spoke about the potential to keep rotating his squad game by game this season:

We are going to rotate the squad, but I cannot change 11 players in the lineup every three days, it’s crazy and we don’t have enough numbers to change 11 players in every game.

We were with 15 or 16 outfield players in the last four or five weeks, so players are going to have to play.

If we want robust players, they are going to have to start doing that early in their careers.

Mikel ArtetaArsenal

Eidevall on selection headache

Eidevall, 39, said: “You have an obligation as a manager all the time to look at performances, in practice and when we are playing games.

“There is no team that can write itself.

"There is no player that is guaranteed to play, so it is a nice headache when we have a lot of players who are playing well.

“I much rather have it that way than the other way around. We all know that competition is very important to drive us to the next level.”

Maanum on fine form for Arsenal women

Jonas Eidevall believes Frida Maanum has given him a nice selection headache with Arsenal eager to keep winning after hammering Lyon 5-1.

The Gunners boss is determined to stay grounded following his side’s victory in the Champions League ahead of their duel with Liverpool.

Maanum, 23, who made 21 appearances last season, impressed on Wednesday night, netting Arsenal’s second goal in France.

The midfielder started ahead of Vivianne Miedema with the Gunners’ all-time record scorer entering the game later as a second-half substitute.

And the Norway ace has been given a spot in the Gunners' starting 11 today against Liverpool in a number ten role.

Gunners hoping to cash in on injury-hit Saints

Arsenal face an injury-hit Southampton side on Sunday, as they look to continue their brilliant start to the season with a win at St Mary’s.

And their chances will be boosted with the news the Saints will be missing up to five first team stars.

Kyle Walker-Peters is out, while his potential replacement Ainsley Maitland-Niles, on loan from Arsenal, can’t play against his parent club.

Armel Bella-Kotchap, Tino Livramento and Romeo Lavia are also on the treatment table.

SunSport’s predicted line up for today

Arsenal will be heading into the game with the Saints as close to full strength as possible.

Aaron Ramsdale will keep his place in goal, while being protected by a back four of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel.

In-form Granit Xhaka will keep his place in the midfield alongside Thomas Partey.

The Swiss star scored the winner against PSV.

And Saka, Martin Odegaard and Martinelli will support striker Gabriel Jesus.

Dein on Wenger statue

Dein told fans at an Arsenal Supporters’ Trust event: “Rather like myself, he is bruised. I don’t think he was treated well.

“I think he is still smarting from that. He was never really given the opportunity to discuss an alternative role at the club.

“That caused friction. There was also interference from board members in what he was doing.

“He had a difficult time. I do hope that he does come back.

“It’s no secret, there is a statue waiting for him to be unveiled. I hope he does decide to do that. For what he delivered to the club, he certainly deserves it.

“I know he is in two minds. He hasn’t agreed to do it yet. I’m pushing him to try and encourage him that he should.

“It ought to be there, a permanent memory to what he delivered to the club.”

 Wenger refusing invitation to see his new Arsenal statue unveiled

Former Arsenal chief David Dein is trying to talk “bruised” Arsene Wenger into coming back to the club to see his statue unveiled.

The creation of an artistic tribute to ex-manager Wenger is at an advanced stage.

But Dein, who used to be Gunners vice-chairman, claims the Frenchman is yet to give the green light to a ceremony because he is still upset by the way he was forced out in 2018.

More on Mudryk

Mykhaylo Mudryk, 21, is hot property - wanted by a handful of clubs across Europe.

The Ukrainian side have named a pricetag just short of £50million and the Magpies are looking for a winger.

A Prem senior recruiter is reported to have said: "It’s an absolute certainty that he will be playing in the Premier League in the next 12 months".

The forward is in demand following his stunning start to the season where he has caught the eye in Champions League matches.

Mudryk chipped in with a goal and two assists in the 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig, before he got on the score sheet in last month's 1-1 draw with Celtic.

Arsenal know all too well about his qualities having tracked the forward - dubbed the 'Ukrainian Neymar' - in the summer.

It was even said how the Gunners had agreed personal terms with the player, but a move failed to materialise.

Gunners among favourites for Ukrainian ace

The Gunners and Jose Mourinho’s Roma are reportedly leading the race for star Mykhaylo Mudryk.

The Shakhtar Donetsk winger has been linked with a move to North London, and Everton were also said to be keeping tabs on the 21-year-old.

And Spanish outlet Fichajes claims Arsenal and Roma “stand above the rest” for his signature.