Claude Puel has urged his side to find their “clinical edge” in the final three games of the season after Saints drew yet another blank at St Mary’s.

The 2-0 defeat to Arsenal made it three games without a goal on the trot for Saints, and three in a row at St Mary’s as well.

Saints have scored just 17 times in front of their own fans in 17 top flight games this season, with only relegated duo Sunderland and Middlesbrough having a poorer record.

Puel was pleased with his side’s performance against Arsenal, but again the goals did not arrive.

He said: “We cannot find the good clinical edge but every time it was interesting on the play.

“Against Hull City it was not enough and all the games the same thing. We saw our game since the beginning of the season and lot of games, many games, where we had the same feeling. There are opportunities and chances without finding the good clinical edge.

“It is important to continue this work and have the good reward and to keep going about this good attitude, this good work, and of course with the game it is important to put the ball in the goal.”

Saints started brightly against Arsenal, but once more there was a lack of cutting edge.

Petr Cech was forced into two decent first half saves, but was not particularly worked in the second period as the Gunners took control of the game.

Puel felt that Saints were good value to get something from the game, but it was a case of the same old story as they left empty handed.

“It’s a very good performance on the pitch but the quality after is not enough to find the good clinical edge,” he admitted.

“We had a lot of opportunities in the first half and sometimes in the second half also.

“It was a big disappointment and frustration also after a good performance without a good clinical edge and a good reward about this play.

“It is difficult to accept this after this game and this loss because we do better and it is difficult for us to find this good clinical edge and to have the good reward.

“On the spirit and to defend together, the organisation and some moments with quality was very interesting and after three days after the away game against Liverpool it was a big game with a lot of defending.

“It was very interesting to see my players at this level, intensity and quality on the pitch but of course it is not enough because they find the good solution with the opportunity with Sanchez which made the difference. A great player and for us good without a clinical edge.”