Footballing wisdom has it that players make systems but systems don’t make players.

After a horrible run of form, a change of formation saw a change of fortunes in the Premier League for Saints.

With goals at a premium, Ronald Koeman decided to shore things up defensively, moving from his preferred 4-2-3-1 system to playing three centre halves, or five at the back as some would have it.

To say it worked well would be an understatement. Three back-to-back top flight victories, including a 1-0 win at Manchester United, is proof enough.

With such confidence in the formation that results breed, there were raised eyebrows when Koeman changed things for last night’s trip to Arsenal.

Saints returned to the 4-2-3-1 that Koeman has trusted so often during his Saints tenure.

It no doubt followed the logic that Saints handled Arsenal’s specific threat magnificently when the sides met little more than a month previously, hammering them 4-0 at St Mary’s with that system.

But ever it was thus that if you have good players then you have options. They are capable of playing different formations, even switching within games.

It wasn’t a classic defensive performance from Saints at the Emirates Stadium, but their character and spirit saw them through.

Saints have shown now that the depth of their squad gives Koeman flexibility to mix and match, which in turn makes it even harder for opponents to prepare to face them.

And, even when their back line was breached against the Gunners, they had Fraser Forster to call upon.

Daily Echo:

The keeper’s return from injury had boasted three clean sheets on the bounce, but we were yet to see how well he had really come back from so long out with his knee injury as he had barely been tested. Even the man himself admitted to feeling a little rusty.

He was severely tested at the Emirates, and the verdict could only be that he looks better than ever.

If there were any doubts about Koeman’s decision to switch to a flat back four, they were initially dispelled by the way Saints started.

They looked every bit as defensively solid as they had done, allowing Arsenal a certain amount of possession but generally ensuring they were unlikely find space between the lines or see their intricate passing in and around the area find a cutting edge.

Indeed, the pattern of the first half felt a little like it was at United, with Saints frustrating their opponents. The major difference was that Saints posed more of a threat themselves in attack.

It was Saints who were the more dangerous early on. Petr Cech had to turn wide James Ward-Prowse’s curling free kick that appeared to be creeping in at the far post while only a heavy touch from Shane Long prevented him getting in behind.

Daily Echo:

Sadio Mane extended the Gunners keeper as he managed to get a shot on target despite being off balance and hitting it from a tight angle, while Dusan Tadic jinked inside and out before picking out Cech with an effort from the edge of the box.

Oriol Romeu didn’t quite manage to work Cech with a first time side footed effort from 20 yards that dipped dramatically but still went over while just before half time Mane was in behind but couldn’t make clean contact with his shot under pressure.

Mesut Ozil had the best, and really only, first half openings for Arsenal.

On 12 minutes he produced a wondrous two touches to bring down a high ball deep in the area and then shoot goalwards as it dropped down, but Fraser Forster was ready at the near post.

The Saints keeper made a stunning save nine minutes later as Ozil poked a volley goalwards from just a few yards out after meeting Oliver Giroud’s flicked header.

Forster stood tall and made the quite brilliant point blank range save with his outstretched left arm.

If the first period was a taster of some meaningful action for Forster, the second was a talent parade for the Saints keeper as he made brilliant save after brilliant save as Arsenal really squeezed on the pressure.

Just three minutes after the restart Giroud’s curling shot from 12 yards out looked bound for the top corner until Forster dived full length to his left to turn wide.

He denied Giroud from a header eight minutes later before giving Sanchez the same treatment.

Forster made not one but two stops from Theo Walcott on 67 minutes before another Sanchez’s header across goal was dramatically turned wide.

Even on two occasions when he looked beaten Laurent Koscielny headed over from a couple of yards out while Ward-Prowse was on hand to clear off the line from Sanchez.

Daily Echo:

Saints were under the pump but even so Mane’s pace on the break was a threat, and when he sprinted forward after intercepting a loose Arsenal pass on the halfway line only a seeming lack of confidence saw him nudge a little wide and end up hitting a tame shot from 20 yards that was easy for Cech.

Somewhat fittingly, the final say in the game was for the brilliant Forster.

He had a fairly simple save to turn a header over the bar before he stood firm at the near post to stop Sanchez and earn Saints a well deserved point.