Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger felt they sent a message to their title rivals with victory over Southampton.
The Gunners are clear at the top of the Premier League title.
"This win shows we are ready for a fight when it didn't go as fluently as we wanted," said Wenger. "That is the most pleasing thing. We were tested by being challenged for every single ball and we responded quite well.
"We always had the focus and I could never feel that we eased off. They made it very difficult for us.
"We could see a good togetherness to help each other out," Wenger added. "We knew that we were sometimes in trouble and you felt that they were ready to fight for each other.
"That is the solidarity level that was needed. It's very important."
