Olivier Giroud made the difference off the bench again for Arsenal yet once again, scoring an 88th-minute equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday.
It was Giroud's 17th goal as a substitute in the Premier League, matching the record he now jointly holds with former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
"I consider Olivier Giroud as a regular player," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said of the striker, who has lost his starting place to summer signing Alexandre Lacazette. "We have to be grateful that he is part of a great team and one who can come on and make a difference with the right attitude and ability."
The France international, on as a 72nd-minute replacement, glanced home Alexis Sanchez's left-wing cross as Arsenal's late pressure told at St. Mary's Stadium.
Giroud has scored 10 goals in the 80th minute or later in 2017 for Arsenal.
"It's a remarkable achievement what he has done again today," Wenger said.
Charlie Austin gave Southampton the lead in the third minute for the striker's fourth goal in his last three starts.
Arsenal returned to the fifth place, above Spurs with just a point separating the two neighbours, but has picked up only one point from its last two games as it struggles to keep in touch with first-place Manchester City.
(With AP Inputs)
