Mikel Arteta described Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Southampton as “a lesson” as the Gunners dropped points for only the second time this season at St Mary’s.

Stuart Armstrong finished off a flowing team move to earn Southampton a share of the spoils and stretch Saints’ unbeaten league run to three matches.

Granit Xhaka had given the Gunners an early lead with his second goal in as many games, sweeping the ball first time into the roof of the net from Ben White’s low delivery.

“It’s painful because we wanted to win again,” Arteta told BBC Match of the Day afterwards. “Credit to Southampton as well. There are no complaints.”

The effervescent Gabriel Martinelli had a shot deflected wide and Gabriel Jesus was denied by Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu as the visitors threatened to double their advantage before the interval.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team improved in the second half but needed a superb last-ditch challenge from Elyounoussi to deny Jesus, who had broken clear of the Southampton defence.

Martin Odegaard thought he had put Arsenal back ahead not long after Armstrong’s equaliser, but the Norwegian’s effort was disallowed after the ball had gone out of play in the build-up.

“We created big chances that we didn’t put away,” Arteta said. “In the Premier League, when you don’t do that when you’re on top, you can pay the price.

“We were really good in the first half and totally controlled the game. In the second half we stopped doing the simple things right. We gave ourselves problems with the amount of giveaways, especially in possession.

“We ended the game on top and we tried to go for a second goal, but we didn’t find it.”

The result leaves Arteta’s side two points clear of second-placed Manchester City, while Saints stay in 15th – three points clear of the relegation zone.