Alexis Sanchez is a 'fighter', says Arsene Wenger after Chilean finds 'something special' again to snatch win for Arsenal

Arsene Wenger praised the fighting spirit of Alexis Sanchez after the Chile striker fired Arsenal to a 1-0 Barclays Premier League victory over Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.

Sanchez pounced in the 89th minute for his 14th goal in 22 appearances since his summer arrival from Barcelona as the Gunners narrowed the gap on the top four to two points.

'Alexis is one of the players who had to dig deep, but he still had such desire to fight. He always finds something special to get a goal,' Arsenal boss Wenger said.


VIDEO Scroll down for Arsene Wenger: Sanchez finds something special to get a goal 

Alexis Sanchez shows his delight after his 10th Premier League goal of the season against Southampton

Alexis Sanchez shows his delight after his 10th Premier League goal of the season against Southampton

Sanchez tapped home from close range in the 89th minute to snatch maximum points for Arsenal

Sanchez tapped home from close range in the 89th minute to snatch maximum points for Arsenal

'It's difficult to find examples of someone who has settled at a club so quickly. He arrived in July and now it's December.

'When you look at the number of goals he has and the impact he has on the team, it's fabulous.'

Arsenal benefited from the 65th-minute arrival of Olivier Giroud, whose physical presence made the difference when Saints had been reduced to 10 men after Toby Alderweireld limped off with a hamstring injury. 

Alderweireld's exit came after Saints had used their three permitted substitutes.

Arsenal players gather around 'fighter' Sanchez (second right) after his dramatic late winner

Arsenal players gather around 'fighter' Sanchez (second right) after his dramatic late winner

'Olivier's physical presence made a difference,' Wenger said.

Arsenal's hopes of exposing Southampton as top-four imposters looked destined to be dashed by a goalless draw until Sanchez's late intervention and Wenger was relieved to be able to reflect on a third successive victory.

'We deserved that because we gave very few chances away and had more chances than Southampton and because we kept a clean sheet,' Wenger said.

'It was a bit hard to get going at the start because we'd given a lot against Dortmund and West Brom. This was our third game in (eight) days.

Arsene Wenger hails the 'fight' in Sanchez but says it was Olivier Giroud's physical presence that made a significant difference when he came off the bench 

Arsene Wenger hails the 'fight' in Sanchez but says it was Olivier Giroud's physical presence that made a significant difference when he came off the bench 

Wenger admitted he felt the Emirates crowd getting nervous after they lost their last match at home 

Wenger admitted he felt the Emirates crowd getting nervous after they lost their last match at home 

'We had to dig deep against a good team that is very well organised. We had to be patient and wait for our chances.

'We have the right attitude and a good solidarity in the team, a good focus, and that's a good basis for us.

'It was important to win because we lost our last home game and you could see the crowd was nervous.'

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman admitted the departure of Alderweireld with six minutes to go encouraged Arsenal to pour forward in search of the winner.

'For the first hour we were outstanding and our team gave a very good reaction after the loss last Sunday,' Koeman said. 

Saints goalkeeper Fraser Forster looks on in despair as he is finally beaten in an outstanding display

Saints goalkeeper Fraser Forster looks on in despair as he is finally beaten in an outstanding display

Ronald Koeman was pleased with his side's first hour coming off a heavy defeat by Manchester City

Ronald Koeman was pleased with his side's first hour coming off a heavy defeat by Manchester City

VIDEO Koeman unhappy with second half performance 

'We were unlucky with the injuries and that gave Arsenal the motivation to bring more in the last 10 minutes, pressing with 11 players against 10 players.

'Toby couldn't play on. If it's a kick on the ankle you can ask them to play on, but it was a hamstring problem. You can't continue with a hamstring injury.

'Our goalkeeper Fraser Forster was outstanding but it wasn't enough to keep a clean sheet.'

Jack Cork and Dusan Tadic also suffered respective ankle and groin injuries.