Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny credited Saints' defence for their role in the Gunners' below-par display at St Mary's last night.

Arsene Wenger's side rarely threatened against Nigel Adkins' men and were fortunate to return to north London with a point.

Their performance was certainly a far cry from some of their recent Premier League displays, including last Saturday's 7-3 defeat of Newcastle.

It led manager Arsene Wenger to express anger after the match, but goalkeeper Szczesny admitted that Saints posed a far sterner test than the Magpies.

''I think Southampton defended much better than Newcastle did the other day,'' the Poland international said.

''You have to give credit to them a little, but we are still disappointed with the result.

''We were confident of getting the three points and, unfortunately for us, we have not been able to.

''We are on a good little run. We won four league games on the trot but didn't get the three points here, which is the most important thing."