Arsenal have suffered losses in their last two Premier League encounters and next up they take on Southampton FC in yet another away fixture.
The losses to Man City and then Brighton means the Gunners are now 10th on the league table and if they fail to pick up a win vs the Saints in midweek then there’s no way they will be able to get back into the Champions League next season.
Arsenal have failed to win their last 7 away matches in the league and the Saints go into this game at the back of a fine 3-0 win over Norwich City meaning Ralph Hasenhuttl will surely be hoping to pick up nothing but a win against Arsenal.
Apart from the poor form, Mikel Arteta will also have to deal with a series of injuries and suspensions so it will not be a total surprise if the North London side dropped points yet again.
Arsenal team news vs Southampton:
Bernd Leno suffered a nasty injury vs Brighton and had to be stretched off the pitch. The German could be out of action for as long as a year(as per some rumours) meaning Martinez will start in goal against the Saints.
Pablo Mari and Callum Chambers are ruled out with injuries while Sokratis is not expected to be fit for selection. David Luiz picked up a red card vs Man City and he is suspended for this match which means Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi will play in central defence in midweek
Hector Bellerin will keep his place at right-back with Kieran Tierney set to replace Sead Kolasinac at left-back.
Matteo Guendouzi could pick up a retrospective ban for grabbing Neal Maupay by the throat on Saturday meaning Bukayo Saka or Joe Willock will have to fill in in central midfield alongside Dani Ceballos.
Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira are both out injured and neither of them will be fit and available for selection for the St Mary’s clash.
Mesut Ozil has been an absentee for the previous two matches but Mikel Arteta has no other option but to call him back.
Nicolas Pepe found the back of the net vs Brighton which should be more than enough for him to hold onto his place in the starting XI in midweek.
Lacazette has been really poor throughout the ongoing season and the manager might once again take the call of dropping the Frenchman to the bench and pushing Nketiah up the order.
UPDATE: Matteo Guendouzi has escaped punishment for his incident with Neal Maupay meaning he should start in central midfield vs Southampton.
Arsenal’s predicted line-up vs Southampton:
Predicted XI: Martinez; Mustafi, Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin, Kieran Tierney/Kolasinac; Guendouzi/Saka, Dani Ceballos, Mesut Ozil; Aubameyang, Nketiah, Nicolas Pepe.
Stats via Premier Injuries.
