Ralph Hasenhuttl has told his team they must take the positives out of their 2-2 draw at Arsenal to help them to Premier League survival.

Saints were left distraught as Alexandre Lacazette’s injury time equaliser denied them a fully deserved three points at the Emirates Stadium.

But the manner of the performance was something to take forward ahead of a crucial home double header against Watford and Norwich, the other two sides in the bottom three.

“I think they can do it and I will them to do it because you have to,” said Hasenhuttl on taking the positives.

“Coming now are two home games and we must have a performance like that all the time. That doesn’t mean we always play in that shape but today it was perfect and we surprised the opponent a little bit being so early on the front foot and trying to attack them very early.

“We won so many balls in the opponent half and had so often a counter attack situation.

“I think about Cedric when he plays to Michael and it was a big chance for a goal and then Moussa and Sofiane and, oh my God, a lot of chances.

“This was only because we were brave and didn’t want to defend deep and keep them away from our goal because of the quality they have in the final third.

“That was the right match plan I think and for this point I am happy but maybe a couple more.”

Hasenhuttl looked dejected at the final whistle but insisted that feeling is outweighed by the way in which his team played.

“You have to force the positive feeling inside because it’s not easy to let it out,” he admitted.

“You always think you can win this game with three, four or five goals and we didn’t but you must be honest also that the opponent had a few chances in the second half and when we go in the lead it is difficult for us.

“What I was really impressed about was the way we wanted to play, believing on being on the front foot.

“I think after the 70th minute only we played and tried to score and create chances and it was not easy for nobody.

“We spoke before the game about what we try to rebuild about this game, and go back to our habits and our fundaments, our basics, and the team showed from the first moment that they believe in what they are doing.

“With a bit more luck we could take the three points and celebrate with our fans. We are proud with how we played but not really happy about the result.”