Arsenal take a break from the EPL as they take on the Saints in the 4th Round of the FA Cup at the St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.
The Gunners have been victorious in all four of their previous FA Cup ties vs Southampton but this season, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s have been one of the best teams outside of the conventional top-six.
Arsenal will go into this match at the back of a 3-0 win over Newcastle United in the FA Cup but the manager is expected to make a few changes to his starting XI this weekend with players like Willian and Pepe likely to come into the side.
Arteta has a very small injury list going into this FA Cup clash and are undefeated in their last 7 matches which is why we expect them to pick up an easy win – more so since Hasenhuttl’s side is plagued with so many injuries.
Arsenal team news vs the Saints:
Runarsson should come into the side but the backup keeper has been really poor for the Gunners this season and given the stature of the opponents Arteta could use Bern Leno in front of goal.
David Luiz and Rob Holding started in central defence vs the Magpies but Luiz will hopefully make way for Gabriel with Holding keeping his place in the first XI vs the Saints.
Pablo Mari will miss this game due to a calf injury but Hector Bellerin will return to the side at right-back.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka seem to be the central midfield pairing of choice at Arsenal right now and the pair should reprise their role in the FA Cup 4th Round. Elneny came off the bench on Monday during Arsenal’s 3-0 win and he is also in line to get a start this weekend at the St Mary’s Stadium.
Emile Smith Rowe has been the star performer for Arsenal in their last few matches but the youngster will be given a much-deserved rest during the weekend. And with Ceballos out injured and Mesut Ozil finally leaving the club, Willian could see himself playing as the attacking midfielder against the Saints.
Nicolas Pepe should also come into the side, playing on the right wing and young Gabriel Martinelli will hopefully play on the left-hand side of attack.
Aubameyang scored a brace vs Newcastle United in the EPL on Monday and the Gabon international is likely to play up front, in place of Lacazette.
Arsenal’s predicted XI vs Southampton:
Predicted Starting XI: Bernd Leno/Runarsson; Holding, Gabriel, Bellerin, Tierney; Xhaka, Thomas Partey/Elneny, Willian; Aubameyang, Martinelli, Nicolas Pepe.
Stats via Whoscored.com.
