Arsenal: Two Goals For Danny Welbeck And Two Red Cards As Gunners Beat Spirited Southampton In Dramatic Emirates Clash (Photos & Video)

Alan Duffy

8th, April 2018

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Arsenal and Southampton played out a dramatic game at the Emirates on Sunday, with the hosts securing a 3-2 victory thanks to a late winner from Danny Welbeck.

With one eye on Thursday’s quarter-final second-leg Europa League clash with CSKA Moscow, Arsene Wenger rested a number of star names, with Reiss Nelson getting a rare start.

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However, it was one of the Gunners’ more regular players who gifted Saints the lead on 17 minutes, with Shkodran Mustafi leaving a cross for Petr Cech when he really should’ve cleared it himself.

Irish striker Shane Long was on hand to make the most of the mix-up, slotting home from close-range to give the visitors a surprise lead.

Arsenal did get themselves back into the game just before the half-hour mark, with a deft flick from Welbeck setting up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who toe-poked home the equaliser.

Just before the break, Welbeck got on the scoresheet himself, cutting inside before unleashing a powerful shot which flew into the back of the Southampton net via a deflection.

Mark Hughes’ side pushed for an equaliser, and on 73 minutes it came, with sub Charlie Austin netting after good play from Cedric Soares.

The game looked to be heading for a draw, with Welbeck then somehow managing to shin an effort over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

However, the ex-Man Utd man would score again, heading home the winner from an Alex Iwobi cross.

That was the last goal of the game, but there was plenty more drama to come, with Jack Stephens seeing red after reacting to a foul from Jack Wilshere.

The incident also saw Mohamed Elneny sent off after shoving Soares in the face.

The game would end in victory for the Gunners, which extends their winning streak to six games in what was their 150th win at the Emirates.

While Welbeck continues to veer from donkey to world-beater, a footballing conundrum if ever there was one. But one who might well find himself on the plane to Russia!

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As for poor old Southampton, despite a spirited display, they find themselves in 18th place, three points from safety with just six games to play.