Arsenal grabs 3-2 win, Chelsea held to draw
LONDON — Danny Welbeck scored twice to help Arsenal beat Southampton, 3-2, in a Premier League soccer game that ended with two sendings-off on Sunday.
In Sunday’s other league game, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez scored minutes after coming on as a substitute to earn West Ham a 1-1 draw at Chelsea in their London derby.
At the Emirates Stadium, Southampton defender Jack Stephens was shown red in injury time when he reacted to Jack Wilshere tugging his shirt by pushing the Arsenal midfielder to the ground.
Stephens, his shirt in tatters, left the pitch as Wilshere was booked for his tactical foul.
Then Mohamed Elneny was shown red after he pushed the visiting players while they were trying to take the free kick quickly.
Southampton was looking for the equalizer after Welbeck grabbed the home side’s winner late, minutes after missing an easier chance to score.
Shane Long had rewarded Southampton’s enterprising start when he nipped ahead of Shkodran Mustafi to end his goal-drought in the 17th minute. It was the Ireland striker’s second league goal of the season and his first since Jan. 2.
But Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalized with a fine finish shortly afterward, taking his tally to six goals in seven games since his winter transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
There were chances at either end before Welbeck grabbed his first goal minutes before the break, only for Charlie Austin to rekindle the visitors’ hopes.
But Welbeck atoned for his miss before the eventful finale.
The win gives Arsene Wenger’s side a boost before Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final second leg at CSKA Moscow. Arsenal leads 4-1 from the first.
The 18-year-old forward Reiss Nelson made his first Premier League start for Arsenal and was given a rude welcome from Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic, who was fortunate to escape a booking for his dangerous tackle in the opening minutes.
Before the game, fans paid tribute to former England captain Ray Wilkins, who died on Wednesday, with a minute’s applause, despite his long association with London rival Chelsea.