When the fixtures were first announced for this season, few would have predicted that this game would be a top of the table clash, as table-topping Arsenal take on this year’s surprise package Southampton at the Emirates this weekend.
While this fixture last year may have seen a resounding 6-1 victory for the Gunners over the Saints, a repeat of this score line looks very much off the table; and looking at how Southampton have performed against Manchester Untied and Liverpool this season, Arsenal will not be afforded the same luxury as last year.
Arsenal Team News
After 2 months out with an abdominal injury, English attacker Theo Walcott is finally ready to return for the Gunners against his former club. Though many will say that we haven’t missed him due to now being two points clear at the top of the table, it is a welcome sight to have Theo back.
Walcott’s return gives us another option up front to help ease the burden on Giroud, and in Theo’s absence the team has at times lacked width, so Walcott will hopefully help with his situation.
However, Arsenal will be without one of our players of the season so far, Mathieu Flamini, as following his booking at Old Trafford he is now suspended for the game.
While he joins the long list of other absentees such as Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sanogo who are definitely missing, we could also be without some other midfielders.
Tomas Rosicky has been ill, and as such will have a late fitness test to see if he makes the squad, while Jack Wilshere may be rested, as Wenger tries to limit his playing time to help prevent future injuries for the young midfielder.
However, Mertesacker is back again after missing the trip to Old Trafford.
Surprising Southampton
There was a bad feeling between Saints fans and their owner, when manager Nigel Adkins was sacked last season after guiding them to back-to-back promotions, however, the owners decision seems to be vindicated after Mauricio Pochettino has lead the South-coast outfit to a remarkable 3rd place.
This climb up the table has also lead to the inclusion of a trio of Southampton players in the England squad, and as such the international experience can surely only help them progress.
Southampton play a very high pressing game which has seen them become the fittest team in the league. Thanks to goalkeeper Artur Boruc and a very reliable defence lead by Dejan Lovren they have conceded only five league goals this season: a league best.
They are also very solid and creative in the middle thanks to midfielders such as Victor Wanyama and Adam Lallana, while in attack they can rely on Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez and Pablo Osvaldo for the goals.
Predicted Line-up
Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Ramsey, Arteta, Cazorla; Ozil, Giroud, Walcott
Under Pochettino the Saints have become a well-oiled unit, and thoroughly deserve to be where they are in the table.
One thing is for certain, they will most certainly prove a test for the Gunners, who will be looking to bounce back after losing at Old Trafford in their last outing before the international break.
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