Southampton's Gaston Ramirez (R) shoots and scores a goal that was disallowed past Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny during their English Premier League match in Southampton Tuesday. — Reuters LONDON — A new year is born but Arsenal still frustrates its fans after summing up the season by beating Europa League combatant Newcastle United 7-3 at the weekend and then needing an own goal to draw 1-1 at lowly Southampton. Saturday's English Premier League classic featured a hat trick from Theo Walcott and prompted comparisons with Arsenal great Thierry Henry but his return to former club Southampton Tuesday was far less spectacular and proved he is still a work in progress up front. Walcott's cross was deflected in by Guilherme do Prado but the England winger also had a goal rightly ruled out for offside and showed a renewed tendency to shoot too early when there was precious little space. Many of his teammates had a worse game with the defense and especially full back Bacary Sagna all at sea for Gaston Ramirez's opener. Southampton's record signing almost grabbed a winner when the Uruguayan's strike was chalked off for a minor push as the 17th-placed hosts went for broke and Arsenal struggled to fashion any clear-cut chances. Southampton's third straight draw edged the promoted side out of the relegation zone. Vilanova visits squad Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has visited the first-team squad at training for the first time since his throat operation last month. “Vilanova, who is recuperating from the operation he underwent on Dec. 20, came to the training ground and greeted the players who were working out there this morning,” La Liga leaders Barca told its website Wednesday. The 44-year-old needed a second round of surgery following an operation to remove a tumor from his saliva glands in Nov. 2011. Assistant coach Jordi Roura has stepped in until he is well enough to return to work. Some of the Barca players are playing for Catalonia in a friendly against Nigeria later Wednesday and the club said goalkeeper Victor Valdes had pulled out of the match because of a foot problem. Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Martin Montoya, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Cristian Tello, Marc Bartra and Sergi Roberto will join up with the Catalonia squad later in the day. Vilanova was released from hospital on Dec. 22 and began a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Club President Sandro Rosell said Friday he should be back midway through January and would alternate work with his treatment. Vilanova was sidelined for around three weeks in 2011 before returning to his job as assistant to Pep Guardiola and then taking over from his close friend at the end of last season. Under his stewardship Barca has made a record-breaking unbeaten start to the league campaign and has a nine-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid. Its opening match of 2013 is at home to city rival Espanyol Sunday. – Agencies
