By Martin Rowe
Southampton began 2013 as they ended 2012 after they drew 1-1 with Arsenal.
Artur Boruc started in goal for the first time since the end of October and had some uncertain moments with some routine catches slipping from his grasp that luckily weren’t punished.
Having spent the first 20 minutes barely touching the ball the Saints began to express themselves more and started to deliver opportunities.
And that was rewarded on the 36th minute when a good piece of build up play found Jason Puncheon inside the box before Gaston Ramirez found the net after creaing some space in the box.
That was the Uruguayan’s third league goal of the season and gave the Saints a deserved lead despite their slow start.
Arsenal lacked penetration and when they received a free kick from a slight shove by Jason Puncheon Saints needed to regiment themselves once more.
But the ball found the net via Guly Do Prado. He tried to clear found the ball skidding off his leg and leaving the goalkeeper Artur Boruc beaten and the Gunners level.
The second half saw Southampton express themselves even more and beat the Gunners at their own game with great possession and build-up play.
Guly Do Prado saw his shot saved well by Szczesny with Jason Puncheon also testing the Polish international shot stopper.
Ramirez then thought he gave the home side the lead again when Steven Davis’ perfectly weighted pass found the Uruguayan who volleyed into the net, only for the goal to be disallowed for a push on Laurent Koscielny.
Despite Southampton creating lots of chances they couldn’t find a winner but nevertheless picked up a valuable point which lifts them out of the bottom three.