Arsenal are slated to be in Premier League action against Southampton at the St. Mary’s Stadium on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s men go into the game sitting at the summit of the Premier League and searching for their 10th league win of the season. They edged Leeds United 1-0 at Elland Road last weekend to record their fourth successive victory in the division.
The Gunners, having beaten PSV Eindhoven 1-0 in a rearranged Europa League fixture on Thursday evening to book their places in the knockout rounds, will head to Southampton as favourites.
Arsenal Team News
Mikel Arteta is hopeful Bukayo Saka will be fine to feature against Southampton, after the winger took a knock to his calf against PSV Eindhoven. Gabriel Martinelli should be fine as well from a bout of illness.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has missed the last five games with a calf problem, could come into contention on Sunday.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Southampton (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Mikel Arteta is certain to name a strong Arsenal lineup after rotating his squad against PSV Eindhoven in midweek. Starting with the goalkeeping department, Aaron Ramsdale will come into the first XI and replace Matt Turner, who started in between the sticks in the 1-0 win over PSV.
Defence
The tight Arsenal defence will be led by Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
Kieran Tierney played the full 90 minutes in midweek, so he could make way for Takehiro Tomiyasu on Sunday. Tomiyasu and Ben White will take up the full-back slots on the left and right sides in the Arsenal lineup, respectively, and look to provide width to Arsenal’s attack, as well as keep their Southampton counterparts at bay.
Oleksandr Zinchenko could make the travelling squad, joining the likes of Rob Holding, Cedric Soares and Tierney on the bench.
Midfield
Granit Xhaka has been exceptional this season, dictating the tempo of play along with Thomas Partey from the middle of the park in the Arsenal lineup. The Swiss’ passing, vision and box-to-box runs have been crucial in the Gunners’ link-up play.
Martin Odegaard has been the heartbeat of the team, providing creativity in abundance. He will start in his favoured No.10 role at Southampton.
Attack
Bukayo Saka is expected to be fit to start in the Arsenal lineup against the Saints. He has been among Arsenal’s best players this season and deserves to keep his place on the right flank. Gabriel Martinelli will be aiming to provide thrust and energy from the left flank when Arteta’s side are in possession.
Gabriel Jesus is a certainty to get the nod ahead of Eddie Nketiah to lead the Arsenal lineup against Southampton. Nketiah will again have to bide his time on the bench and look to grab his opportunity if called upon.
