As Arsenal notched up two wins on the trot in the busy Christmas period, the North London side is now just a handshaking distance (and when we say handshaking we mean goal difference) from a place in the top four of the Premier League. Arsenal face Southampton next, the team which is immediately above the North London side on just goal difference and Arsene Wenger will not need to motivate his team to make them realise the importance of this game. Ronald Koeman’s side will also be on a high after their fine start to the season and also their draw last match against Chelsea. It is now the turn of Arsenal and it remains to be seen whether the Saints can take revenge for their defeat at the hands of Arsenal in the Emirates in the return leg.
Injuries and Suspensions
Morgan Schneiderlin will miss this game with a late red card against Chelsea which means that the midfield will be substantially weaker for the Saints. Nathaniel Clyne is also a major doubt through injury, which means that Targett might have to continue at left back which is frankly a nightmare as containing Alexis Sanchez is a tough job for any world class defender, let alone the young Targett.
Arsenal on the other hand have a plethora of injuries including Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil to name a few. These has left Arsenal severely stretched in midfield and question marks have to be raised about having to play Francis Coquelin and Mathieu Flamini in central midfield. Olivier Giroud will serve the second match out with suspension which means Danny Welbeck will start in his place in the middle.
Southampton Vs Arsenal Tactics
With Morgan Schneiderlin missing, the Saints will play James Ward Prowse and he is an excellent replacement for Schneiderlin. Ronald Koeman is a manager who believes in playing his own game no matter what the opposition so expect to see a fluid Saints side trying to attack Arsenal. Whether it will work against Arsenal is anybody’s guess
Arsenal will start in a 4-3-3 once again but with Olivier Giroud out, it will be Danny Welbeck filling in at the central striking position with the two most inform players of this Arsenal team Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez giving him support. Mathieu Flamini will be the deep lying midfielder who will set up to protect the back four as usual.
Southampton Vs Arsenal Possible Starting Line Up
Southampton: Forster; Yoshida, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Wanyama, Davis; Tadic, Pelle, Mane
Arsenal: Szczesny; Debuchy, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Cazorla, Flamini, Rosicky; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez, Welbeck
Southampton Vs Arsenal Prediction:
A 1-2 win for the away side.