Jurgen Locadia makes a point for Albion against Arsenal

The tide could finally be turning for Jurgen Locadia.

The Dutchman, kept in the starting line-up by Chris Hughton after he was substituted at Bournemouth, earned Albion their first point for four games.

Locadia's frustration has been such that reports emerged in his own country during the most recent international break of a desire to move in January.

That seems unlikely now. His calmly taken equaliser cancelled out another goal for the prolific Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as Albion fought back for a valuable share of the spoils, emphasising once more they are a tough proposition for any team at the Amex.

Hughton responded to the setback at Bournemouth by making three changes, one enforced.

Shane Duffy returned from a ban to replace suspended regular partner Lewis Dunk.

Dale Stephens was preferred to Yves Bissouma in central midfield and top scorer Glenn Murray led the attack at the expense of Florin Andone.

Stephens skippered the side with Dunk ruled out by his red card at Bournemouth and Bruno among the substitutes.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery made a trio of changes as well to the team that beat Burnley at the Emirates.

Stephan Lichtsteiner and captain Laurent Koscielny were restored to the defence, Lucas Torreira in the centre of the park.

It did not take long for Aubameyang to demonstrate why he is the Premier League's leading marksman.

Inside five minutes he latched onto Matteo Guendouzi's pass. Duffy, running with him, thought there was no danger, but Aubameyang's delightful lob forced Mathew Ryan into a retreating tip over the bar.

The escape was shortlived. Aubameyang put Arsenal ahead two minutes later, courtesy of dreadful defending.

Leon Balogun dallied inside the box, with Alexandre Lacazette lurking. Lacazette was then surrounded by three players but the ball broke off Stephens for Aubameyang, in space, to open up his body and find the roof of the net from eight yards.

It was the Gabon international's 13th of the season in the Premier League and 23rd in 32 appearances overall, a phenomenal strike rate.

Albion struggled in the opening quarter of the contest. Slowly but surely they worked their way back into the game, nearly equalising in a chaotic incident in the 25th minute.

Sokratis got a touch as Murray tried to convert Martin Montoya's volleyed cross. Keeper Bernd Leno felt he had both hands on the loose ball when Murray bundled it just over the line (below).

Most of the crowd thought referee Anthony Taylor had awarded a goal. In fact, he gave the Gunners a free-kick.

The near-breakthrough came in a bright spell for the Seagulls, but they could not afford to let Aubameyang out of their sights. Montoya did, Aubameyang running off the back of the Spaniard with more sharp movement to collect another raking pass. He was clean through but Ryan came to the rescue with a one-handed save.

The value of the Australian keeper's intervention was emphasised as Albion levelled in the 35th minute.

Arsenal returned the poor defending favour by Albion for their early goal as Swiss international right-back Lichsteiner back-headed a long ball by Davy Propper from Granit Xhaka's overhit corner into the path of Locadia.

The Dutchman did well to compose himself from there, evading the advancing Leno to tuck away his second Premier League goal and first since scoring on his top flight debut against Swansea at the Amex in February.

Having got themselves back into the match, Albion grew in confidence after the break. Propper, yet to score since he was signed at the start of last season, popped up twice inside the Arsenal penalty area.

The midfielder headed wide from Solly March's cross and then dragged a good chance wide on the hour mark, the ball breaking back to him after Locadia set up his fellow countryman from Pascal Gross's crossfield pass.

Emery, pacing the technical area, looked concerned. The enigmatic Mesut Ozil was withdrawn at half-time, Lacazette with a third of the match remaining, Alex Iwobi and Aaron Ramsey taking over respectively.

The subsequent introduction of the fleet-footed Ainsley Maitland-Niles on the right in a reshuffle, with Koscielny taken off, coincided with a more threatening spell for the visitors before Albion reasserted.

March lacked the precision of Aubameyang when Stephens put him through, his lob from the edge of the box carrying too much weight.

Locadia went agonisingly close from another pass by the excellent Stephens, his effort going just wide of the far post, after Andone had replaced Murray.

Locadia received a standing ovation as he was substituted by Anthony Knockaert five minutes from time.

Albion have ended the first half of the season a point better off, a place worse off, than a year ago.

The key difference is they are ten points clear of the relegation zone instead of five.