JIM SMITH believes clean-sheets can be the key to Premiership survival.

Frustration was the overwhelming emotion following Tuesday's goalless stalemate with West Brom - which kept Saints in the relegation area, though just two points adrift of Crystal Palace.

But assistant manager Smith is confident Saints have goals in the team - they have scored in 13 of the 16 league and cup games Harry Redknapp has been in charge of after failing to score in seven of their first 16 Premiership games of 2004/05.

And Smith was particularly encouraged to see them look more secure defensively.

"The defence was a big plus and keeping that up will be the key," he said.

"It was strange because we have been scoring but struggling to keep clean-sheets and we managed that.

"We looked solid and didn't really have too many problems at the back."

Tuesday's clean-sheet was only Saints' sixth in the league this season, but the fifth time they have been involved in a 0-0 draw.

Paul Smith looks certain to continue in goal against Arsenal tomorrow with Antti Niemi not expected back from his knee op until next week.

Saints brought in Andreas Jakobsson alongside Claus Lundekvam in central defence at The Hawthorns with Calum Daveport dropped to the bench for the first time since his arrival from Tottenham last month.

Olivier Bernard and Rory Delap are now settling into the team at full-back as the defence has begun to take a more settled shape.

"We changed it around a little bit at the back. Calum Davenport has done well, but he is a young man and he needed a breather," explained Smith.

"Olivier Bernard was outstanding on Tuesday. Rory Delap played as a wing-back or a full-back for me at Derby and he has always been very versatile."

After their 3-1 defeat at Bayern Munich, Saints know it is potentially an ideal time to face an Arsenal side that have won just once this season immediately after a European match.

Smith added: "Arsenal are maybe not coming into the game with the greatest amount of confidence and it would seem to be a great time to play them.

"But they are very professional and will be determined to put Tuesday's result behind them."