They say it’s the hope that kills you. But, after recent weeks, at least there is hope.

After the disastrous defeats at Newcastle and West Ham there was precious little optimism floating around ahead of a trip to Arsenal, and beyond that when it comes to Saints’ survival chances.

Those two displays, such huge matches against relegation rivals, had been surrendered so meekly that there was a fear the rot would be irreversible and a slow and painful march downwards was underway.

So it was at least some consolation that Saints restored a little pride at the Emirates Stadium with a committed and battling display.

However, this was a game they could have won, certainly have drawn, and they came away with nothing and another match was ticked off of the list as time runs down on the campaign.

And while it is all very well saying that if they had have played like this all season they wouldn’t be in trouble, they actually have had quite a few showings of this kind against top teams already this season.

There have been plucky defeats, and a few draws, when Saints have been the underdogs, have had very little expectation on them and been able to freely play on the counter attack.

This was another in the spirit of Man City, Tottenham at home, Man United home and away, Arsenal at St Mary’s, Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Indeed, of the big teams it’s only Tottenham at Wembley and the two matches against Liverpool that have comfortably drifted away from Saints.

Their problem has not really been these matches. They have generally played well.

It’s been when under pressure in games where they need points against teams in and around them that they have struggled.

And pride in defeat to a big team only lasts so long.

Once you are in the position that Saints have got themselves then points are all that matter.

So when you get a sniff of a win you have to take it.

Arsenal were as there for the taking as they are ever going to be at the Emirates Stadium.

They rotated and, while still having quality, clearly had an eye on their Europa League second leg on Thursday night.

The first leg of that game showed they had serious defensive frailties and they were on display too.

This was a day that nearly belonged to Saints and could have been a huge momentum shifter in terms of the season.

It wasn’t in terms of the result, but now this level of performance really has to continue. If it does then Saints can still survive.

If they revert again when they face a few of the lesser lights of the Premier League when the pressure comes on it will be game over.

Mark Hughes rolled the dice again, changing up players as he said he would to try and get more fight into the side, and also going with a back five.

Saints were, for the most part, solid, compact, disciplined.

Arsenal were often reduced to playing in front of them, growing increasingly frustrated that they couldn’t convert possession into chances.

Saints also looked good on the counter.

Early on James Ward-Prowse’s shot beat Petr Cech but Hector Bellerin was back on the line to clear.

Saints took the lead on 17 minutes as Cedric’s deflected right wing cross came into the six yard box. Cech and Shkodran Mustafi left it to each other to deal with and that moment of hesitation was enough for Shane Long to dart in and flick the ball into the far corner.

Saints were doing so well but conceded two goals to trail at the break.

The first, on 28 minutes, saw Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang drop deep to start the move, untracked by the centre halves, and then get back into the box to seize on Danny Welbeck’s flick to get ahead of Cedric and stab the ball home.

Ten minutes later it was 2-1 as Welbeck cut inside from the left and hit a shot that deflected off the heel of Maya Yoshida and went in.

Alex McCarthy made three great saves at the start of the second period from Aubameyang, Granit Xhaka and Alex Iwobi, while Cech had to deal with efforts from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Wesley Hoedt – who also had a header cleared off the line - and Long, while the striker had a goal rightly ruled out for offside.

Hughes threw on Charlie Austin and he scored with his first touch to equalise on 73 minutes.

Cedric and Tadic played a one-two and the right back delivered the ball into the six yard box for Austin to turn home from a few yards out.

That was the moment for Saints. They had a chance too, Austin getting in behind but producing a weak finish.

They had a let-off as Welbeck somehow missed from a couple of yards out, but Arsenal bagged the winner with nine minutes remaining.

Iwobi was given time to stand up a cross to the far post, it went over Jack Stephens and Welbeck beat Cedric to win the header and powered it downwards and into the net.

Tadic worried Arsenal late on as they continued to attack rather than defend their lead but Cech made a decent save.

The game ended in farce as both Stephens and Mohamed Elneny were red carded for petulant moments, but it was too late to affect the result.

Pride but no points for Saints.