Arsenal strike late for win

Santi Cazorla’s added-time penalty earned Arsenal all three points at the Emirates as they came from behind to beat Southampton 2-1.

The feelgood factor sparked by the inclusion of new signings Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez was in danger of dissipating completely when Petr Cech’s own goal put a lively Saints side in front.

But Laurent Koscielny’s scissor-kick levelled the scores before the break and Cazorla kept his nerve to win it from 12 yards after Jose Fonte was penalised for dragging down substitute Olivier Giroud.

It was harsh on Saints, who had to dig in after half-time as Cazorla’s catalogue of shimmies and sleights of foot sparked attack after Arsenal attack, but who also wasted two clear opportunities to score a second on the break.

Claude Puel is still searching for a first Saints win, while his former Monaco mentor Wenger can celebrate back-to-back victories that will go some way to settling the unrest of the opening-weekend defeat to Liverpool.

The Gunners boss’ decision to spend before the deadline met with the obvious approval of the home crowd, and there were signs of promise from both new signings.

Mustafi’s appeal to Wenger was obvious as he showed composure in possession – a little too much for comfort, …

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