After suffering back-to-back away defeats in the Premier League, Arsenal will relish the prospect of returning to the Emirates Stadium to take on Southampton on Saturday.
The Gunners’ 10-game unbeaten run had moved them to the brink of the top four. However, they’ve since suffered three successive away defeats, dropping them to seventh in the table.
Mikel Arteta has copped plenty of criticism after his side crumbled in the second half against Everton last time out and nothing but a win against the Saints will ease the pressure on the Spaniard.
Southampton have also endured their fair share of struggles this season. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have won just three of their 15 matches and enter this contest on the back of two successive home draws against Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Saints have not enjoyed much success in this fixture, with their last win at the Emirates coming back in 2016 in the League Cup quarterfinals. In fact, they’ve never beaten Arsenal away from home in the Premier League.
Arsenal vs Southampton – Team News
Arsenal
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could return to the Arsenal lineup in place of Alexandre Lacazette after being dropped for the previous game.
Emile Smith Rowe faces a late fitness test, while Gabriel Martinelli is available after limping off in the second half against Everton.
Granit Xhaka and Kieran Tierney returned to the Arsenal lineup last time out after prolonged absences and should retain their respective spots in the side.
Thomas Partey has endured a frustrating few weeks and could make way for Albert Sambi Lokonga in central midfield.
Southampton
Southampton will be without Oriol Romeu and Mohammed Salisu, both of whom picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season in the draw against Brighton.
Jan Bednarek and Stuart Armstrong are unavailable due to injuries, but new signing Willy Caballero is expected to make his debut for the Saints with Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster out injured.
Arsenal vs Southampton – Predicted Lineups
Arsenal Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Aaron Ramsdale; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kieran Tierney; Granit Xhaka, Albert Sambi Lokonga; Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Southampton Predicted Lineup (4-4-2): Willy Caballero; Valentino Livramento, Lyanco, Jack Stephens, Kyle Walker-Peters; Nathan Redmond, Ibrahima Diallo, James Ward-Prowse, Mohamed Elyounoussi; Adam Armstrong, Armando Broja
Arsenal vs Southampton —Key Players
Arsenal – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Gabon international has been in dismal form of late and being dropped against Everton could serve as a wake-up call. Southampton like to push their defensive line up the field and press high, so Aubameyang will likely have plenty of space to run into behind the defenders.
Southampton – James Ward-Prowse
The English midfielder is arguably the best set-piece taker in the Premier League right now. Arsenal have conceded just six goals at home this season and Southampton might find chances hard to come by from open play, making Ward-Prowse’s role from free-kicks and corners all the more important.