(4-3-2-1) Squad Rotation with Sterling upfront”, Prediction Arsenal vs Southampton line up – as Arteta vows to round up Premier League with three points before international break
Arsenal will face off against Southampton in a Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium, with the Gunners looking to maintain their unbeaten run and secure another victory, while the Saints aim to break their winless streak. Arsenal comes into this game on the back of a 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, whereas Southampton is still reeling from a 3-1 loss to Bournemouth.
Match Preview:
Arsenal’s midweek triumph against PSG highlighted their strength, particularly in capitalizing on opposition mistakes. PSG, while still a strong force in French domestic football, struggled in attack at the Emirates. Arsenal’s first goal came when PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma misjudged a cross from Leandro Trossard, allowing Kai Havertz to score. The second goal was another blunder from Donnarumma, who allowed Bukayo Saka’s free kick to slip past him.
After the victory, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was noticeably more relaxed, a reflection of his team’s confident performance. This win marked Arsenal’s third consecutive home victory, coming after a high-scoring win against Leicester City the previous weekend. The Gunners currently sit third in the Premier League standings, just one point behind Liverpool and Manchester City. They have been unbeaten for 15 games since their Champions League exit in April, and their home form is particularly strong. A win on Saturday would be their 400th Premier League home victory, a milestone only surpassed by Manchester United.
On the other hand, Southampton has been struggling, particularly in away games. They recently suffered a 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth in a South Coast derby. The Saints’ defense was unable to cope with Bournemouth’s attack, conceding three goals in the first half. Despite pulling one back early in the second half through Taylor Harwood-Bellis, they were unable to mount a comeback.
Southampton currently sits near the bottom of the Premier League table, with only Wolverhampton Wanderers separating them from last place based on goal difference. Their manager, Russell Martin, is under pressure, and a heavy defeat against Arsenal could put his job at risk. Southampton has the worst conversion rate in the league this season, scoring just 4.4% of their chances, highlighting their struggles in attack. However, they can take some comfort from the fact that they have not lost in their last three matches against Arsenal. Nevertheless, Southampton has not won a league game at Arsenal since 1987.
Team News:
Arsenal continues to grapple with a number of injuries, particularly in defense. Full-backs Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Kieran Tierney (hamstring), and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are all out, while Ben White (groin) and Jurrien Timber (muscle) are also doubtful for the match. Timber had to be substituted at halftime during the PSG game, with Mikel Merino making his debut in his place. Merino could start against Southampton, replacing Thomas Partey. Arsenal will also be without captain Martin Odegaard (ankle), but Kai Havertz is expected to continue his fine form at home, where he could become the first Arsenal player since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2019 to score in five consecutive Premier League games at the Emirates.
Southampton has problems of their own, particularly with the suspension of defender Jack Stephens, who is serving a five-match ban for using insulting language during a match against Manchester United. Midfielder Will Smallbone is a doubt for the game due to a thigh injury, while Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) and Kamaldeen Sulemana (ankle) remain sidelined. Former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, now playing for Southampton, is set to face his old club. He will be hoping to join an elite group of goalkeepers who have kept a clean sheet against their former team, a feat only Emiliano Martinez has achieved when he played against Arsenal for Aston Villa in 2020.
Predicted Lineups:
**Arsenal’s possible starting lineup:**
Raya; Calafiori, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Havertz, Partey, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
Southampton’s possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Taylor; Downes, Aribo, Lallana; Fernandes; Dibling, Brereton Diaz.
With Arsenal aiming to build on their winning momentum and Southampton desperate to turn their season around, the stage is set for an intriguing contest at the Emirates. Arsenal’s strength at home and Southampton’s ongoing struggles on the road suggest that the Gunners are strong favorites to come out on top in this encounter.