RALPH Hasenhuttl admitted Alex McCarthy has "stuff to work on" after his error sent Arsenal on their way to a St Mary's victory.

The goalkeeper tried playing out from the back but had his pass intercepted by Eddie Nketiah, resulting in the Gunners' opener.

And for Arsenal's second goal, McCarthy was unable to hold on to Alexandre Lacazette's powerful strike, leaving Joseph Willock with a simple finish from close range.

Reflecting on the costly mistakes, Hasenhuttl said: "What can I say?

"We know we play more in possession now and making the goalkeeper more of a player means he has the ball more often.

"There are still some things he has to improve - his decision making: should I play the ball short or should I play the ball long.

"He has stuff to work on."

Arsenal were on top for large spells of the first half but it was Saints in the ascendancy throughout the second period.

And Hasenhuttl was left ruing the missed opportunities that fell his side's way.

"I don't know who had more chances," he added.

"In the end I think the first half was more for Arsenal but in the second half, we had good possession, a lot of ball wins and also some chances."