A thrilling clash at the Emirates saw the hosts narrowly prevail, and Wenger was pleased to see another win as the Gunners face a packed schedule
Arsene Wenger felt Arsenal's 3-2 victory over Southampton was more about spirit than skill after Danny Welbeck settled a see-saw contest at the Emirates Stadium.
Having put CSKA Moscow to the sword on Thursday, winning the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final 4-1, Arsenal made heavy weather of seeing off a side sitting in the Premier League's relegation zone.
Welbeck headed in an 81st-minute winner to secure Arsenal a sixth successive win in all competitions, though Wenger admitted fatigue was to blame for his side's below-par display.
Southampton's Jack Stephens and Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal both saw red in stoppage time for violent conduct, leaving their respective sides to play out the closing minutes with 10 men.
"I believe that when you play every three days it’s difficult to get the pace of the game,” Wenger told Sky Sports.