ARSENAL extended their Premiership lead to three points as Ian Wright scored his 20th goal of the season with a second half penalty, but Paul Merson was the star of the show.

Merson grabbed the first goal, his seventh of the season, with a brilliant strike following a controversial free kick just two minutes before half time. Later, he was brought down by Norwegian defender Claus Lundekvam to provide Wright's spot kick in the 57th minute.

By then, Arsenal had shrugged off the lethargy that inhibited their football in the first 25 minutes. It was, however, to surface again eight minutes from time when Israeli Eyal Berkovic was allowed a close range goal.

Substitute Paul Shaw wrapped up the points for Arsenal right at the death with a cracking strike for his first ever goal for the club.

Arsenal, without injured Dennis Bergkamp, David Seaman and Martin Keown, did not hit the heights of more recent displays, but it was a generally efficient performance marred only by a booking for French midfielder Patrick Vieira who now faces a two match suspension.

Vieira was involved in two of the Arsenal goals, falling heavily in a challenge with Lundekvam to win a free kick which was played short for Merson to make space and rifle home a fine, low drive.

Southampton brought the worst away record in the Premiership to Highbury but battled impressively in the first half, with Simon Charlton, Jim Magilton, Jason Dodd and Berkovic all going close.

But Wright, who had a largely disappointing night, was foiled by, Dave Beasant's brave save and the goalkeeper just about kept out a John Hartson header before Merson made the breakthrough.

Arsenal threatened to "run away" with the game in the second half after Wright's pass put Merson in to provoke the trip by Lundekvam for the penalty.

Hart son ruined a series of sharp Arsenal moves with wild finishing and was eventually replaced by, Shaw, but it was Southampton who scored next when big striker, Egil Ostenstad brushed off Tony Adams and set up Berkovic to ram the ball home.

With just seconds left, however, Shaw ensured the division leaders three points by thumping in a pass from another substitute, Ray Parlour, after the leggy Vieira started the move.