Though they are rank outsiders to qualify for the Champions League this season, Arsene Wenger seems to have found another way into the competition, as his side now have a firm leg in the semi-finals of the Europa League this season. After the win over Stoke City last weekend, the Gunners will want to finish the domestic season on a high and will look to bag all three points from their game against Southampton at Emirates this weekend.
The Saints have won just one of their last 18 games and Mark Hughes, who only took over as the manager recently, is yet to win a game in the domestic league. Arsenal will want to take advantage of this situation and sneak all three points from this game but Wenger might be tempted to rest a couple of his key players, ahead of the second leg of the UEL tie in Russia. A win in this game will take them to within two points of local rivals Chelsea and here is the predicted lineup Wenger might field for this tie in search of all three points:
Team News:
In early team news, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has joined the injury list for Arsenal after he hobbled off with a knee injury earlier in the week. David Ospina and Santi Cazorla are long-term absentees and remain the only other injury problems for Wenger ahead of this game.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):
Defence:
With Ospina out injured, Petr Cech cannot be rested and is expected to keep his place under the bar for this weekend. Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi might both be rested, giving Calum Chambers and Rob Holding a chance to play in tandem at the back this weekend.
Sead Kolasinac is struggling to get into the first team but might get his chance against Southampton while Hector Bellerin is the best choice for Arsenal at right-back.
Midfield:
Granit Xhaka might be rested for the trip to Russia, giving Mohamed Elneny a chance to impress in the first team while Aaron Ramsey, who bagged a brace in the UEL tie, might keep his place in the side, to add some creativity to the midfield.
Attack:
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang is ineligible to play in Europe and should lead the attack for Arsenal in the domestic league. Danny Welbeck might be used on the left wing while Alex Iwobi, who came on late in the game against Moscow, might start this game on the right flank.
Mesut Ozil should retain his place in the side and will act as the playmaker for Arsenal.
Here is how they might line up:
