Arsenal’s miseries piled up further after they plummeted like a house of cards against Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend. Mikel Arteta has some serious problems to address and the task of rebuilding the club is becoming increasingly difficult for the Spaniard.
The Gunners will strive for redemption when they take on Southampton at St. Mary’s in a couple of hours but it will not be an easy affair. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side looked sharp during their 0-3 away win over Norwich City and have the potential to punish Arsenal’s woeful defensive line.
Arsenal Team News
Bernd Leno, who was stretchered off the pitch against Brighton due to a knee injury, has joined Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari, Gabriel Martinelli, Cedric Soares and Lucas Torreira on the treatment table.
David Luiz will be serving the second of his two-match ban owing to the red card he was shown against Manchester City and will be unavailable. However, Granit Xhaka and Sokratis are back in full training following their spell on the sidelines.
PREDICTED ARSENAL LINEUP VS SOUTHAMPTON (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Bernd Leno’s injury is not as bad as was feared but he is expected to miss the remainder of the ongoing campaign. His deputy Emiliano Martinez has big boots to fill and is expected to start under the bar against the Saints in the Arsenal lineup.
Defence
Arteta has limited options in central defence and is seemingly likely to stick with Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding. With Danny Ings brimming with confidence, these two cannot afford to be complacent at the back and have to avoid making any error whatsoever.
First-choice left-back Kieran Tierney could get the nod to start in place of Sead Kolasinac with the former getting a run out against Brighton.
Meanwhile, Hector Bellerin should keep his place on the opposite side and will be eager to cement his place with Cedric Soares penning a long-term deal with the Gunners.
Midfield
Matteo Guendouzi is acclimatizing himself to the holding midfield role, which could be his long-term position in the Arsenal lineup. The French prodigy is a tough tackler and is incredibly industrious and has to make his presence felt.
Dani Ceballos and Bukayo Saka could get the green light to start as the creative players in the midfield. Together, these two have to move the ball quickly, need to create an ample amount of chances and control the flow of the game.
Attack
The fact that Nicolas Pepe responded positively against Graham Potter’s troops with a scrumptious finish must have boosted his morale. Arsenal will want their right-winger to excel further by making the most of his pace and exuberance and he is expected to continue on the right in the Arsenal lineup.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is just one goal shy of fifty Premier League goals and should start as the left-winger. Alexandre Lacazette could retain his place as his experience could be vital in unlocking Southampton’s defence but there is a chance Eddie Nketiah might get a look in from the beginning.
ARSENAL LINEUP
