Predicted Arsenal Lineup To Face Southampton
London outfit Arsenal have pushed open the race for the top-4 in the Premier League with a victory over Manchester United at the weekend. The Red Devils have little chance to qualify for the Champions League using their league position and all Arsenal need to do to qualify is to win all the games in hand from now until the end of the season, although either of Manchester City or Liverpool has to lose points to make way for the Gunners.
Their next task will be a trip to Southampton in the mid-week as they start completing their games in hand over the other clubs. The Saints are fresh from a hard-fought stalemate at Anfield and are sure to use a similar approach against the Gunners. So the onus will be on the travelling side to make things happen on the night.
Team News
Arsenal have no new injuries to worry about ahead of this game. While Santi Cazorla is a long-term absentee, Wenger revealed after the United game that Granit Xhaka is doubtful for this clash due to a recurrence of his ankle injury. Shkodran Mustafi is expected to be back in action but there is no news yet, on Lucas Perez.
Probable Arsenal XI:
Formation: 3-4-3
Manager: Arsene Wenger
GK – Petr Cech
The first choice shot-stopper for Arsenal, Cech kept a clean sheet against United and will hope for a similar result in this game as well.
CB – Rob Holding
The youngster was superb against United and he should keep his place in the side even with Mustafi coming back from injury.
CB – Laurent Koscielny
The leader in the backline for Arsenal, Koscielny has been impeccable recently and should keep his place at the heart of the Arsenal defence.
CB – Shkodran Mustafi
The German has been excellent this season for the Gunners and he should replace Monreal as a part of the back line for the Gunners.
RWB – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
The English midfielder has done a great job in this position and should keep Bellerin out of the side for this tie as well.
CM – Francis Coquelin
Came on to replace Xhaka late in the previous game and should take his place in the side if the Swiss midfielder is unable to make it to the starting XI.
CM – Aaron Ramsey
Fast growing into an important part of the Arsenal squad, Ramsey will be responsible for adding creativity to this Arsenal midfield.
LWB – Nacho Monreal
Kieran Gibbs was decent in the previous game but Monreal should take his place with Mustafi back in action for this weekend.
RW – Mesut Ozil
The German had a good game against Manchester United and will need to be at his best for Arsenal to get anything from this game.
LW – Alexis Sanchez
Was influential in Arsenal’s win at the weekend but could not get on the score sheet. He will hope to add to his goals tally against Southampton.
ST – Danny Welbeck
Having got himself on the score sheet to double Arsenal’s lead against the Red Devils, Welbeck should continue in the Arsenal lineup in this game at the St Marys.
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