Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that he felt a sense of relief after his side scored a last gasp winner against Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.

Southampton made a bright start in enemy territory and got their reward for some enterprising football when they took the lead in the 18th minute. Dusan Tadic’s free kick hit the underside of the bar, and then rolled into the net after hitting Petr Cech on the way down.




Following the goal Arsenal looked a little more threatening, but were failing to produce that final ball which would have opened up the away side’s defence. However, they equalised after the Saints failed to clear their lines from a corner and Laurent Koscielny smashed home the dropping ball with an acrobatic overhead finish. The Gunners continued to push, but the first half ended with the sides on level terms.

The game became more open as the second half continued and both threatened to score but the home side applied the pressure in the final few minutes and were finally rewarded. In stoppage time they won a penalty for a foul on Olivier Giroud from Jose Fonte, and Santi Cazorla duly converted the spot kick to win all three points for Wenger’s men.
 


Wenger feels his side squandered too many opportunities to score, before scoring from the penalty spot, and Southampton made Arsenal work hard to get three points at the Emirates.  

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The Arsenal boss told the BBC: “It is a relief because we missed many chances and they had one or two opportunities as well because they threw everything forward.

“It was a good game, where we had a slow start.

"I thought it took us some time to get into the game and after we went 1-0 down we responded quite well and second half we dominated and had the better chances, but we couldn't finish our chances and they were dangerous on the counter attack.

“Honestly, everyone tells me it's a penalty, but I haven't seen it yet.

“They are a good side, Southampton, and it was important to get the three points after an international break.”

Arsenal will open their Champions League campaign this Tuesday night when they travel to France to take on Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.