Santi Cazorla struck from the penalty spot in the dying minutes to sneak a 2-1 victory for Arsenal in Saturday’s Premier League match against Southampton at the Emirates.
The Saints drew first blood when Dusan Tadic’s free kick ended up bouncing off the back of goalkeeper Petr Cech, but the Gunners responded with a spectacular goal from Laurent Koscielny.
Arsene Wenger’s side produced waves of attack in an attempt to find the winner on home turf, but they looked destined for their second draw in four matches until they were handed a lifeline from the spot kick in the 90th minute.
Most eyes would have been on Arsenal’s summer signings Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez, both of whom were handed their debuts, but it was Southampton who stole the attention in the first 20 minutes.
Tadic’s free kick ended up in the back of the net, but they had some fortune as the ball bounced off Cech’s back after he nudged it onto the underside of the crossbar.
Arsenal needed to respond and they came close to doing so seven minutes later when Santi Cazorla’s delivery from a free kick found Theo Walcott at the near post, but the England international’s header drifted over the bar.
The home fans were lifted on the half-hour mark when defender Koscielny scored the unlikeliest of goals by using his acrobatic skills.
Southampton’s attempts to defend a corner ended up with the ball being headed high into the air and dropping to Koscielny, whose scissor kick sent the ball past Fraser Forster.
Arsenal ended the first half on the frontfoot, and Mesut Ozil was denied a goal of his own because of a vital block from Jordy Clasie, who was in the right place at the right time when Hector Bellerin’s cross found his German teammate in the box.
After the break, Southampton changed their approach as they sat deep, welcoming Arsenal to try to break them down, while also trying to play in substitute Shane Long up top.
The hosts tried to find a way through, with Walcott and Ozil having chances in quick succession, but the former headed wide and his teammate’s attempt was scuffed due to a poor touch.
Both sides wasted opportunities in the second half, with Long failing to dink the ball over Cech when one-on-one six yards out, while Alexis Sanchez’s effort from inside the box skied over the crossbar.
In the end, it was devastating for Southampton as they walked away with nothing after Jose Fonte was penalised for tugging Giroud’s shirt in the penalty box.
Cazorla stepped up to the spot, but he had to hold his nerve due to a delay following a facial injury suffered to Koscielny, but the Spaniard managed to get the ball past Forster and seal victory.
Arsenal have won their last two league fixtures, while Southampton are still searching for their first win of the campaign.
The Saints drew first blood when Dusan Tadic’s free kick ended up bouncing off the back of goalkeeper Petr Cech, but the Gunners responded with a spectacular goal from Laurent Koscielny.
Arsene Wenger’s side produced waves of attack in an attempt to find the winner on home turf, but they looked destined for their second draw in four matches until they were handed a lifeline from the spot kick in the 90th minute.
Most eyes would have been on Arsenal’s summer signings Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez, both of whom were handed their debuts, but it was Southampton who stole the attention in the first 20 minutes.
Tadic’s free kick ended up in the back of the net, but they had some fortune as the ball bounced off Cech’s back after he nudged it onto the underside of the crossbar.
Arsenal needed to respond and they came close to doing so seven minutes later when Santi Cazorla’s delivery from a free kick found Theo Walcott at the near post, but the England international’s header drifted over the bar.
The home fans were lifted on the half-hour mark when defender Koscielny scored the unlikeliest of goals by using his acrobatic skills.
Southampton’s attempts to defend a corner ended up with the ball being headed high into the air and dropping to Koscielny, whose scissor kick sent the ball past Fraser Forster.
Arsenal ended the first half on the frontfoot, and Mesut Ozil was denied a goal of his own because of a vital block from Jordy Clasie, who was in the right place at the right time when Hector Bellerin’s cross found his German teammate in the box.
After the break, Southampton changed their approach as they sat deep, welcoming Arsenal to try to break them down, while also trying to play in substitute Shane Long up top.
The hosts tried to find a way through, with Walcott and Ozil having chances in quick succession, but the former headed wide and his teammate’s attempt was scuffed due to a poor touch.
Both sides wasted opportunities in the second half, with Long failing to dink the ball over Cech when one-on-one six yards out, while Alexis Sanchez’s effort from inside the box skied over the crossbar.
In the end, it was devastating for Southampton as they walked away with nothing after Jose Fonte was penalised for tugging Giroud’s shirt in the penalty box.
Cazorla stepped up to the spot, but he had to hold his nerve due to a delay following a facial injury suffered to Koscielny, but the Spaniard managed to get the ball past Forster and seal victory.
Arsenal have won their last two league fixtures, while Southampton are still searching for their first win of the campaign.