Cazorla's contested 94th-minute penalty sinks Saints

London - Santi Cazorla's controversial stoppage-time penalty gave Arsenal its first home win of the season as it saw off Southampton 2-1 in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

It was a bitter pill for the visitors to swallow, with Southampton still seeking its first win under new manager Claude Puel.

An unfortunate 18th-minute own-goal by Arsenal 'keeper Petr Cech was cancelled out in spectacular fashion by Laurent Koscielny 11 minutes later.

The north London side looked like having to settle for a draw until referee Bobby Madley decided Jose Fonte had pulled Olivier Giroud to the ground in the penalty area.

Saints players protested furiously but did not distract Cazorla, who tucked away the 94th-minute penalty.

The win was barely deserved. Arsenal had more possession but lacked incisiveness and south coast side Southampton will rue two excellent chances spurned by Shane Long in the second half.

Arsenal gave debuts to late transfer window signings in Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez, acquired from La Liga clubs Valencia and Deportivo La Coruna respectively for a combined £52 million.

Francis Coquelin also returned to the team as Giroud and Alexis Sanchez were rested ahead of a Champions League opener away to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Nathan Redmond, who began on the left of a front three, cut across goal but was scythed down needlessly by Nacho Monreal. The left-back was booked, but further punishment followed as Arsenal conceded from the free-kick, albeit unluckily.

Dusan Tadic's free-kick was brilliantly touched onto the bar by Cech, but bounced down to rebound in off his body.

The goal stirred Arsenal into upping the tempo. As Southampton was pushed back, Arsenal won set-play opportunities. These are not normally their strength but in the 25th minute Theo Walcott rose to glance a Cazorla free-kick just over. Four minutes later a corner led to Koscielny acrobatically rising to volley in with a stunning overhead kick.