Danny Welbeck scored twice as Arsenal withstood a spirited performance from relegation-threatened Southampton to clinch a 3-2 Premier League victory at the Emirates.
Arsene Wenger rang the changes with Europe in mind and Shane Long capitalised on slack defending to score the opener before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Welbeck put the Gunners in front. Charlie Austin came off the bench to level only for Welbeck to head in the winner.
The afternoon ended on a sour note with both teams reduced to 10 men. Jack Stephens saw red for reacting to a foul from Jack Wilshere before Mohamed Elneny was also sent off for pushing Cedric Soares.
Tweet of the day
Job done – just!#AFCvSFC pic.twitter.com/rYQ4QPcYaT
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 8, 2018
Star man – Danny Welbeck
Young Gunner
Stat of the day
4 – Charlie Austin has scored in each of his four Premier League games against Arsenal (four goals), including in both of his appearances at the Emirates. Fantastic. pic.twitter.com/qRghxd6zv5
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 8, 2018
Ratings
Southampton: Alex McCarthy 7, Cedric Soares 7, Maya Yoshida 6, Jack Stephens 5, Wesley Hoedt 6, Ryan Bertrand 6, Oriol Romeu 6, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 7, James Ward-Prowse 7, Dusan Tadic 5, Shane Long 7. Substitutes: Charlie Austin (for Yoshida, 72) 6, Josh Sims (for Long, 80) 5.
Who’s up next?
CSKA Moscow v Arsenal (Europa League, April 12)
Southampton v Chelsea (Premier League, April 14)
