Alexis Sanchez nets late winner as Arsenal sink Southampton

Alexis Sanchez scored an 89th minute winner as Arsenal beat Southampton 1-0 in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger's side struggled to break down a Saints' defence that had previously conceded only nine goals in 13 matches, with England goalkeeper Fraser Forster pulling off a series of saves to deny Danny Welbeck and substitute Olivier Giroud.

Southampton went down to 10 men when Toby Alderweireld limped out with five minutes remaining, and the Gunners eventually broke the deadlock when Sanchez netted his ninth Premier League goal of the season from Aaron Ramsey's low cross from the right.

The win lifts Arsenal up a place to sixth in the Premier League, while Ronald Koeman's side remain in third despite picking up just one point from their last three games.

7' – CHANCE! Welbeck gets free down the left channel but Forster is out quickly to put off his England colleague and the former Manchester United striker shoots wide.

15' - CHANCE! Pelle blazes over from the left channel following a one-two with Davis on the edge of the box. That was a lovely cushioned header by the Ulsterman in the build-up.

25' – SAVE! Forster makes a great save from Oxlade-Chamberlain following an intricate passing move started by Sanchez.

34' – CHANCE! Welbeck backheels into the side netting after Yoshida makes a mess of a near post clearance.

35' – SAVE! Wanyama breaks down the right and feeds Pelle, but the Italian's deflected shot is easily saved by Martinez.

44' – GREAT SAVE! Forster tips over Welbeck's header from Cazorla's angled free-kick from the left touchline.

51' – CHANCE! Long shoots over from the right channel following a Southampton counter-attack with Pelle screaming for the ball in the area.

69- SAVE! Forster makes a good block at his near post to deny Giroud and Welbeck is hustled out of it as he attempts to make hay with the rebound.

70' – GREAT SAVE! Forster makes a brilliant one-handed block to keep out Welbeck following a fine Giroud backheel..

87' - SAVE! Giroud angles a header across goal but Forster flings himself to the right to claw out the ball.

89' - GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Southampton. Sanchez pokes home from close range from Ramsey's low cross from the right-hand edge of the area. Fonte looks as if he handled in the build-up.

Southampton's tally of seven away league goals is the lowest among the Premier League's top-seven clubs.

Southampton’s four Premier League defeats this season have all come against sides that finished in the top six last season. They have also lost to Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham this term.

Tonight was the fifth Premier League game in a row involving Arsenal that was goalless at half-time.

Can Arsenal win the Premier League in the next three years? Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger believes his squad can win the Premier League before his current deal expires in 2017. The supporters who raised a banner during Saturday's 1-0 win over West Brom at the Hawthorns calling for Wenger to retire are not so sure, and tonight's laboured victory over Southampton will have done little to convince them. Arsenal continue to struggle to break down determined opposition willing to put 10 men behind the ball, and are too reliant on individual moments of brilliance from Alexis Sanchez.

Fraser Forster (Southampton): The England international pulled off a series of fine saves to deny Arsenal, and was unlucky to end up on the losing side. The Saints have only conceded 10 goals in 14 Premier League matches this season, and if they are to stay near the top of the Premier League they will need Forster to remain as miserly as he was at the Emirates.

Arsenal: Martinez 7, Chambers 6, Mertesacker 6, Koscielny 6, Monreal 6, Flamini 6, Ramsey 7, Cazorla 7, Oxlade-Chamberlain 6, Alexis 7, Welbeck 7. Subs: Giroud 8, Podolski 6.

Southampton: Forster 9, Clyne 7, Fonte 7, Alderweireld 8, Bertrand 7, Wanyama 7, Cork 6, S Davis 6, Tadic 5, Long 6, Pelle 6. Subs: Yoshida 6, Mane 6, Mayuka 6.