Arsenal are desperate to get things back on track in the Premier League and their next match vs Southampton could be the best possibility of picking up a handsome win.
The Saints are winless in their last five league games and are currently 19th on the table meaning their self-confidence is at an all-time low and the Gunners shouldn’t be looking at anything apart from three points.
Arsenal though themselves have failed to pick up a win in their last five matches and in their last outing they suffered a humiliating loss at the hands of Leicester City away from home.
But now that the North London club are back to playing at home, Unai Emery will be looking to field his strongest XI since he has only a handful of injuries to deal with.
Arsenal news vs Southampton:
Defender Rob Holding was in fear of missing out on this match due to an injury but as per the latest reports, the player is set to be fit for the weekend’s clash.
But despite being fully fit, the centre-back will not get to start since it will be Sokratis and David Luiz who will play in the first XI vs the Saints.
Versus Leicester City, Emery chose to play with a three-man defence but since they take on the Saints at home, the manager will look to revert back to a simple back-four defensive line.
Kieran Tierney started on the bench vs the Foxes but should start at left-back on Saturday while Callum Chambers plays on the right-hand side.
Dani Ceballos is facing a race against time to be fit from his thigh injury before the Saints game but in case he doesn’t make himself available then surely Mesut Ozil will get to start one more match in the Premier League after having spent most of the season on the substitutes bench.
Granit Xhaka has been shunned out of the squad and the former Arsenal captain will hopefully no longer play for the club. And this means Lucas Torreira will start in central midfield alongside Matteo Guendouzi.
Torreira was in fear of missing out with an injury but he did play in Uruguay’s clash vs Argentina meaning he is ok and should be named in the first Xi vs Southampton.
Nicolas Pepe has been a dud so far this season and he is yet to find his form but he the manager has no other option but to select him as part of his three-man front line.
Pepe will operate on the right flank with Alexandre Lacazette playing down the middle and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang playing on the left-hand side.
Arsenal’s predicted line-up vs the Saints:
Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno.
Defenders: Sokratis, David Luiz, Kieran Tierney, Callum Chambers.
Midfielders: Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi, Ceballos/Mesut Ozil.
Forwards: Aubameyang, Lacezette, Nicolas Pepe.
