A late Olivier Giroud header rescued a point for Arsenal at Southampton.
The home side got off to a great start on three minutes at a cold and wet St Mary’s Stadium when Dusan Tadic fed Austin for his fourth goal in three matches.
Arsenal came into the match but could not find a way past Fraser Forster, who saved well from Aaron Ramsey.
After the break, Arsenal continued to dominate but Southampton always threatened, with Oriol Romeu hitting the bar on 61 minutes and Ryan Bertrand shooting wide when through.
Arsenal looked to be heading for defeat, when Giroud, a substitute, glanced in Alexis Sanchez’s left-wing cross two minutes from time.
The points shared lift Arsenal back above Tottenham Hotspur into fifth. Southampton stay 11th after Everton’s draw at Liverpool.
“It was a difficult game and I felt that we paid a heavy price for a slow start. We kept going. Overall, I think the spirit was great. We were relentless to the end.
“I consider Olivier Giroud as a regular player. 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. He is a talent, Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, said after the game.
His Southampton counterpart, Mauricio Pellegrino, said: “When you play against Arsenal you need to be 100% excellent at almost everything.
“We didn’t control the ball much but we controlled the game. We had to reduce the space because they have quality in key areas, we competed well but it’s a pity we conceded at the end.
“We are upset about that but it’s part of football. Against Arsenal, in one action, everything can change.”
