Premier League: Prolific Sanchez earns Arsenal last-gasp win
ARSENAL 1 SOUTHAMPTON 0
ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger admitted his side have benefitted from the harsh realities of past mistakes after scraping a last-gasp victory over a stubborn Southampton at Emirates Stadium last night.
England goalkeeper Fraser Forster heroically kept Arsenal at bay until the visitors’ stoic resistance buckled late on when talismanic forward Alexis Sanchez netted his 14th goal of a prolific campaign.
Back-to-back victories have moved the Gunners up to sixth in the Premier League and two points behind Manchester United, who occupy the final Champions League position, and Wenger was keen to highlight the dynamic influence of his Chilean hitman.
“It was a difficult game against a good side but we deserved to win, it was a victory of patience and intelligence and we kept our structure well,” said Wenger.
“We were more fluent, sharper and quicker against Manchester United but we exposed ourselves. We learnt a lesson maybe, we were too impatient but [against Southampton] we were patient until we scored at the end.
“We were jaded physically but Alexis Sanchez can dig deep and has such desire and a will to win, he still finds that resource to get you something special.”
Southampton were forced to play out the final few minutes with 10 men after Toby Alderweireld suffered a hamstring injury after Dutch tactician Ronald Koeman had used his three substitutes.
Forster excelled to deny strikers Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud with fine saves before Alexis broke the deadlock in the 89th minute, drilling home from six yards following Aaron Ramsey’s cutback.