Alexis Sanchez reached 20 league goals in a season for the first time as he inspired Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Southampton that narrows the gap to the Premier League’s top four.
A home win over Jose Mourinho’s depleted Manchester United on Sunday meant Arsenal could cut the gap to fourth-placed Manchester City to three points with victory at St Mary’s Stadium, but they never looked likely in a second-rate first half.
Sanchez and Mesut Ozil had been guilty for letting the air out of numerous attacks for Arsene Wenger’s side, but the duo combined sublimely to puncture the Saints’ back line on the hour.
Making his 100th Premier League appearance, Sanchez celebrated his fine strike by tapping the badge on his chest in front of the travelling fans as his, and Ozil’s, futures remain shrouded in doubt as their contracts wind down.