Arsenal 0 Southampton 0: Gunners lose ground on Leicester as Saints hold firm

FRASER FORSTER proved he had bounced back better than ever from his horror injury.

BATTLE: Bellerin and Tadic jostle for the ball

The England keeper was in sparkling form, producing fine saves to deny Mesut Ozil, twice, and Olivier Giroud.

His acrobatic stop from Giroud is a candidate for save of the season.

Forster suffered a fractured kneecap against Burnley in March and it was feared he might miss this season.

But going into last night’s clash he had not conceded in three games as Saints beat Watford, West Brom and Manchester United.

  LOOKING ON: Giroud

The giant keeper was a huge barrier again last night.

The Gunners went into the game aiming to avenge the misery of their 4-0 defeat at Southampton on Boxing Day.

Saints threatened first with Petr Cech having to fling himself to his left to turn round a James Ward-Prowse free-kick which threatened to squeeze in at the far post.

Ozil almost scored a goal of the season in the 12th minute when he controlled a superb pass from Alexis Sanchez with his left foot as it dropped over his head, then used the same foot to shoot instantly.

But Forster got his big frame in the way to block. Forster was excellent again when Giroud flicked on Hector Bellerin’s cross and Ozil looked sure to poke home a close-range volley.

FRUSTRATED: Flamini (right) reacts

But Forster flung out his left arm to steer for a corner.

Dusan Tadic cleverly worked an opening in the 31st minute but curled his left foot shot straight into Cech’s hands.

As Saints grew more confident Oriol Romeu bent a dipping shot just over the bar after some neat build-up play.

Sadio Mane should have done better in the 40th minute when Virgil van Dijk’s flicked header put him through on goal.

But, under pressure from Gabriel, he poked a shot well wide.

Just before the break Joel Campbell played a one-two with Sanchez and set up Ozil, but he was tackled by Ward-Prowse as he shaped to shoot.

Forster was magnificent again shortly after the break.

Teed up by Aaron Ramsey, Giroud looked to have curled a right-foot shot into the top corner.

But using all his 6ft 7in frame, Forster stretched out his right arm to push round for a corner.

Mane again was disappointing as he burst through, shooting tamely at Cech.