Arsenal 1 Southampton 0

Arsenal in sixth position in league Southampton three points above Gunners in third Saints have never won at Arsenal in Premier League Visitors had one shot on target Alexis Sanchez struck two minutes from time to give Arsenal victory just as it looked like Southampton would hold out for a draw at The Emirates. Visiting goalkeeper Fraser Forster had kept Arsenal at bay with a collection of fine saves from Danny Welbeck and substitute Olivier Giroud, but he was powerless to prevent Gunners talisman Sanchez pouncing on Aaron Ramsey's cross to score his 14th goal of the season. Arsene Wenger's side deserved the win after applying intense late pressure but Southampton were forced to play out the crucial final minutes without defender Toby Alderweireld, who suffered a hamstring injury after manager Ronald Koeman had used his three substitutes. The victory, coming on the heels of the win at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, pushes Arsenal into the top six, while Saints stay third despite a second successive defeat following their home loss against Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday. Arsenal Arsenal have scored seven goals in the final five minutes of Premier League games in 2014-15, more than any other side A small group of Arsenal fans brandished a banner at The Hawthorns calling for Wenger to quit, but they can be grateful that he has brought such a gem as the Chilean Sanchez to north London. Just as the frustration of potential dropped points was building at The Emirates, the former Barcelona forward succeeded where other Arsenal strikers had failed to secure an important win. Welbeck had the first opportunity of the night when he was played in by Santi Cazorla's pass but he could not get himself set and ended up steering a presentable chance just wide. Match facts Alexis Sanchez has scored nine goals after 14 league matches for the first time in European football It is the first time in nine league games Aaron Ramsey has been involved in a goal for Arsenal Mathieu Flamini completed 64 of his 69 passes for the Gunners Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster made seven saves compared to Emiliano Martinez's one Saints had gathered in plenty of confidence during an excellent start to the season and they opened with plenty of ambition. Graziano Pelle should have put them ahead in the 15th minute but he shot wildly over. Play media Download Flash Player now You need to install Flash Player to play this content. Arsenal 1-0 Southampton: Wenger praises Sanchez 'desire' Neither goalkeeper saw serious action until first-half stoppage time, when Southampton's Forster reacted well to turn Welbeck's flicked header over the top. The striker also tried a backheel at the near post but was crowded out by Saints' defenders. As anxiety grew inside The Emirates, Wenger made the change demanded by Arsenal's fans when he introduced Giroud, although the decision to take off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was met with some jeers. Giroud almost immediately tested Forster with a snap shot as Arsenal attempted to finally apply concerted pressure on a resolute and well-organised Southampton defence. The French striker then showed initiative with a neat flick to release Welbeck but Forster's reactions again came to the Saints' rescue as he made a fine one-handed save. Play media Download Flash Player now You need to install Flash Player to play this content. Arsenal 1-0 Southampton: Unlucky injury cost Saints - Koeman It seemed the England goalkeeper was going to keep Arsenal at bay when he showed great athleticism to claw away Giroud's header but, just when it looked like Saints would survive despite their numerical disadvantage, Sanchez made the breakthrough. Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: "We had a good positive reaction after last Sunday - a good first half, good ball possession, a good chance off Pelle. After an hour it was more difficult, Arsenal were pressing more but the difference was 11 v 10. "We were unlucky to get a player injured after making all of our substitutions, you know they will create chances and in the last few minutes they made it 1-0." Southampton All four of Saints' league defeats have come against sides who finished in last year's top-six Danny Welbeck Danny Welbeck ended a six-game Arsenal run without a goal against West Brom on Saturday Southampton Southampton's tally of seven away league goals is the fewest among the Premier League's top-seven clubs Danny Welbeck The last five Premier League games involving Arsenal have all been 0-0 at half-time Sanchez Alexis Sanchez has scored 14 goals in all competitions for Arsenal this season Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (5) Arsenal 26 Martinez 21 Chambers 04 Mertesacker 06 Koscielny 18 Monreal 16 Ramsey 20 Flamini 15 Oxlade-Chamberlain (Giroud - 65' ) 19 Cazorla 17 Sánchez 23 Welbeck (Podolski - 81' ) Substitutes 03 Gibbs 07 Rosicky 09 Podolski 12 Giroud 22 Sanogo 39 Bellerin 49 Macey Southampton 23 Forster 02 Clyne 06 Fonte 17 Alderweireld Booked 21 Bertrand 08 Davis 12 Wanyama Booked 18 Cork (Yoshida - 29' ) 07 Long (Mayuka - 81' ) 19 Pellè 11 Tadic (Mané - 62' ) Substitutes 01 Davis 03 Yoshida 05 Gardos 10 Mané 24 Mayuka 28 Reed 33 Targett Ref: Andre Marriner Att: 60,025 Source:bbc