Arsenal have quality to respond to ‘stuttering

Cech says Arsenal will need to win nearly all of their remaining 14 matches to guarantee a first Premier League title since 2004, but remains confident that the talented Gunners’ squad can prevail.

The French manager is said to have confronted the referee after the game, which was dominated by the north Londoners.

Ronald Koeman’s side were penned in for much of the second half as Arsenal created a host of clear-cut opportunities but a combination of woeful finishing, coupled with fine stops by Saints’ keeper Fraser Forster saw the visitors escape with a point. He denied Mesut Ozil and other stars on a number of occasions, pulling off an fantastic ten saves during the game.

Wenger was angry after watching his team slip five points behind leaders Leicester as they suffered a fourth game without a win.

“You have to always think the opponent will play well and despite that still score”.

The Dutchman reportedly added: “You had 10 chances to score and didn’t take any of them, instead you take it out on [the referee]”.

The last time these two sides faced off, in December, Cuco Martina, Shane Long and Jose Fonte all chipped in to see the Saints demolish Arsenal 4-nil.

Both have looked poor in recent weeks and Wenger will be hoping that Alexis Sanchez is match fit and back in the goals as soon as possible now he has returned from two months out with a hamstring injury. We have played three Premier League games now without scoring a goal. “Some players missed some chances that usually they take”.

“We came out with a 0-0, with the experience we have in our team, that’s disappointing”.

“We know that was a hard game, we were aware of that, because they have fantastic players, but Fraser did fantastic and all the team did”.

“Our goalkeeper is magic and he was magic tonight”, Koeman said. “We are very happy to have one of the best goalkeepers in our team”. Knowing you need rhythm and games.

Normally I would say that some refs are like that and we just need to get on with it, but when he booked Coquelin for his very first tackle I must admit I thought it was taking the mickey. At the end of the day we came out with no goals.

“But to get one point away to Arsenal, three points at Manchester United, to beat Chelsea away, one point against Liverpool at Anfield is wonderful, a dream for a club like Southampton”.