Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admits losing to Southampton would have been a bitter pill to swallow.
The Gunners went 0-1 down in the Premier League home game on Wednesday.
But they rallied in the second half and equalized through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
But defender Gabriel getting sent off for two yellow cards meant they were hanging on at the end for the point.
Asked if the game could represent the first step in a recovery for the Gunners this season, Arteta said:
"Yeah I agree, yes, because if you lose that game at the end it would have been really difficult to take.
"The players showed what we expect them to do, so at least the work is there.
"I saw all the players that weren't participating and they were in the stands, shouting and right behind the team.
"It's a really strong signal as well and I'm really pleased with that.
"It's very difficult to compete in this league when you play for so long with 10 men.
"It makes it more complicated, but the boys stood up to it, they showed their character and resilience and they never gave up.
"I was worried because you could start to see players hiding when we conceded the first goal, but they did exactly the opposite.
"I was really disappointed with two yellow cards, one for Dani (Ceballos) and one for Gabriel.
"But the second one (for Gabriel)...yeah."
