Just a few weeks ago, Arsenal were the favourites to secure the final Champions League spot on the league table but after two consecutive losses, the Gunners are suddenly playing catchup.
Even though they have a game in hand but they have slipped out of the top-four of the Premier League and next up, they take on Southampton at the St Mary’s Stadium.
Mikel Arteta will be looking to avoid a third straight loss but thankfully, the Saints are in even poorer form as they are winless, in their previous five outings. In their last home outing, Chelsea thumped six goals past them.
The Saints are secure from a relegation battle so Hassenhuttl won’t have too much to worry about and this could be a cause of concern for Arsenal. Southampton should play their usual attacking brand of football this weekend and since the Gunners will have a few players missing, Arteta’s boys could be in for a rough night.
Arsenal need to pick up three points from this game at any cost because their next three league outings are against Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham respectively. The North London side though have lost just one out of their last 12 league matches against Southampton so in end, they should see this one through.
Arsenal team news and injury updates:
Just when Arsenal were pulling up their performances, a few injuries have completely disrupted their season, the biggest of which has been to Kieran Tierney.
The left-back is ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury and his backup, Nuno Tavares has not been in the best of form lately. Against the Seagulls, it was Xhaka who played as the left-back but Mikel Arteta is expected to bring back Tavares on Saturday.
Tomiyasu is also out with a calf injury and he will only return to training next week.
Thomas Partey is another major injury absentee and the midfielder is only expected to make a comeback sometime next month.
Since Partey is out injured, Granit Xhaka will most probably be partnered by Martin Odegaard in central midfield. Against Brighton, Arteta tried the pairing of Odegaard and Lokonga in the middle of the pitch but that clearly did not work out.
If Odegaard is moving out of the No 10 role then Emile Smith Rowe is the one who will play as the playmaker this weekend with Martinelli and Bukayo Saka operating on either wing.
The midfield and the left-hand side of defence will remain the areas of concern meaning Arsenal will have to work extra hard to make sure the likes of James Ward-Prowse are not able to dictate the pace of the game.
Arsenal predicted line up vs Southampton:
Predicted Starting XI(4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Gabriel, Ben White, Nuno Tavares, Cedric; Odegaard, Granit Xhaka; Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka; Lacazette.
Read: The price tag for this 22Y/O goal machine has just been revealed and we are expecting a massive transfer frenzy.
Stats via Fotmob.
