Arsenal go fifth, hunt Top Four

Arsene Wenger's side will come into the game against the Saints in buoyant mood after dispatching Manchester United 2-0 in their previous fixture, but will be wary against a Southampton side that have found ways to beat them in their last two visits.

The Gunners laboured in the first half, and after Southampton managed to keep a clean sheet against Liverpool, many people wondered if a similar thing was about to happen when they took on Arsenal.

In a lacklustre Gunners display, goals from Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud were enough to grab three points as the hosts faltered. "He is always tricky to stop, very good in a short space once he has the ball in the box".

Perhaps the only sour note for Arsenal was an injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who started the game confidently before being withdrawn in the first-half with an apparent hamstring injury.

Giroud settled the contest with a late header and Wenger admitted the form of his frontmen has left him with a selection headache.

"I never questioned the character of my side because it is not because you lose games that people expect you to win that show you have no character", Wenger said after the match.

They are already outsiders for the top-four spot that they so desperately crave, with a point deficit on Liverpool, should they win their two games in hand.

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They are now sixth with 63 points from 34 games and can close the gap with a win at Southampton on Wednesday.

After a boring first half, Sanchez produced a moment of magic to open the scoring when the Chilean wrong-footed two defenders in the box before calmly slotting home.

"It was interesting to play at this level against a good team", said Puel.

Picked out by Mesut Ozil, he cut inside Saints centre-backs Maya Yoshida and Jack Stephens, leaving both on the deck, before finishing crisply.

Olivier Giroud - just on as a substitute - added the second goal in the 83rd, heading home after Sanchez's cross was helped back into the middle by Aaron Ramsey.

While the Premier League and Europe has been a source of frustration, Arsenal will contest their third FA Cup final in four seasons later this month, while Sunday's success saw Wenger at last get the better of Jose Mourinho at the 13th attempt.

This victory may not mean as much as it did during the "Invincibles" campaign, but it could have long-lasting ramifications for both Wenger and Arsenal as the Frenchman continues to contemplate whether to sign a new deal.