Santi Cazorla struck from the penalty spot in the dying minutes to sneak a 2-1 victory for Arsenal in this afternoon's Premier League match against Southampton at the Emirates.
The Saints drew first blood when Dusan Tadic's free kick ended up bouncing off the back of goalkeeper Petr Cech, but the Gunners responded with a spectacular goal from Laurent Koscielny.
Arsene Wenger's side produced waves of attack in an attempt to find the winner on home turf, but they looked destined for their second draw in four matches until they were handed a lifeline from the spot kick in the 90th minute.
Most eyes would have been on Arsenal's summer signings Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez, both of whom were handed their debuts, but it was Southampton who stole the attention in the first 20 minutes.
Claude Puel's side tried to make the most of their opponents' slow start as they peppered the goal early, and one opportunity came to Jay Rodriguez.
Cedric delivered a cross, which dropped just in front of the far post with goalkeeper Cech nowhere near it, but Rodriguez failed to get a touch on the ball.
Southampton's pressure paid off when Tadic's free kick ended up in the back of the net, but they had some fortune as the ball bounced off Cech's back after he nudged it onto the underside of the crossbar.
Arsenal needed to respond and they came close to doing so seven minutes later when Santi Cazorla's delivery from a free kick found Theo Walcott at the near post, but the England international's header drifted over the bar.
The home fans were lifted on the half-hour mark when defender Koscielny scored the unlikeliest of goals by using his acrobatic skills.
Southampton's attempts to defend a corner ended up with the ball being headed high into the air and dropping to Koscielny, whose scissor kick sent it past Fraser Forster.
Arsenal ended the first half on the front foot, and Mesut Ozil was denied a goal of his own because of a vital block from Jordy Clasie, who was in the right place at the right time when Hector Bellerin's cross found his German teammate in the box.
After the break, Southampton changed their approach as they sat deep, welcoming Arsenal to try to break them down, while also trying to play in substitute Shane Long up top.
The hosts tried to find a way through, with Walcott and Ozil having chances in quick succession, but the former headed wide and his teammate's attempt was scuffed due to a poor touch.
Bellerin, who was a constant threat down the flanks, tried his luck with a powerful shot from the edge of the area, but the ball just drifted wide of the post.
Both sides wasted opportunities in the second half, with Long failing to dink the ball over Cech when one on one six yards out, while Alexis Sanchez's effort from inside the box skied over the crossbar.
Arsenal kept knocking on the door, but they could not take their chances - one in particular was a comical miss when Cazorla's cross-shot dropped towards Olivier Giroud, but the striker fell over and squandered the chance for a tap-in.
Southampton had a late chance to sneak the win when Cech's clearance dropped to Long, but the striker's effort was saved off the line by the goalkeeper's foot.
In the end, it was devastating for Southampton as they walked away with nothing after Jose Fonte was penalised for tugging Giroud's shirt in the penalty box.
Cazorla stepped up to the spot, but he had to hold his nerve due to a delay following a facial injury suffered to Koscielny, although the Spaniard managed to get the ball past Forster and seal victory.
Arsenal have won their last two league fixtures, while Southampton are still searching for their first win of the campaign.
Danielle Joynson
