Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised the “exceptional” mental strength of Danny Welbeck after the striker ended a goalless run of 16 Premier League games to score two and assist the other as the Gunners fought back to beat Southampton.
Wenger had made seven changes with Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against CSKA Moscow in mind, and his side trailed when Shane Long capitalised on a first-half mix-up between keeper Petr Cech and centre-back Shkodran Mustafi.
But the hosts recovered with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang prodding in his sixth goal since joining from Borussia Dortmund for ยฃ56m in January to level before Welbeck – who created the equaliser with a clever flick – put them ahead.
Southampton then drew level when substitute Charlie Austin turned in Cedric Soares’ cross but Welbeck headed Arsenal back in front after both sides missed a string of chances, leaving the visitors deep in relegation trouble.
“It’s not easy because we played against a team who fights not to go down, mentally it is very difficult,” Wenger said.
