Team News
It’s the same names out for Arsenal once again as Mesut Ozil, Mathieu Debuchy, David Ospina, Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere on the sidelines, though some should be returning imminently.
Wojciech Szczesny is also out with a hip injury, whilst Mikel Arteta also fails to make the grade once again. On top of this, the Gunners have concerns regarding the fitness of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal- but the hope is that one of the left-backs will be fit to play.
Theo Walcott is once again sidelined since picking up a knock on international duty but Arsenal have Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck, Olivier Giroud and Yaya Sanogo available, giving them plenty of options up front.
Southampton are withou Jay Rodriguez, who continues his rehabilitation from the injury that kept him out of England’s World Cup campaign in Brazil. James Ward-Prowse and Sam Gallagher are also unavailable, as is reported Arsenal target Morgan Schneiderlin.
Jack Cork was previously a doubt but has recovered from illness and could fill the void left by Schneiderlin, with the other option being Harry Reed.
Likely Line-Ups
Barring a catastrophe, Damian Martinez will continue in goal due to the extended absences of both experienced keepers in the squad, Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina. With Arsenal’s defence looking shaky so far this season, and concerns regarding Szczesny, Martinez has the chance to earn an extended run in the Gunners net.
Despite the return of Laurent Koscielny, who impressed in the weekend victory against West Brom, Arsenal still face a defensive crisis. With both Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs possibly unavailable, Arsenal will need someone to step-in at left-back in the worst case scenario. That’s likely to be one of the right-backs, Calum Chambers or Hector Bellerin, but Koscielny could be pushed aside.
In midfield Mathieu Flamini and Aaron Ramsey are likely to be selected as the deep-lying pair, in the absence of Wilshere and Arteta. Both players need to step-up their performances this season and Flamini will be kept busy as the more defensive of the duo, due to Southampton’s stellar attack.
Ahead of them the loss of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain means that another under performing player is likely to be selected again, in Santi Cazorla. With Theo Walcott out, Danny Welbeck may drop into the left-wing position that he has previously played for Manchester United and England, whilst Alexis Sanchez may be pushed onto the right. It all depends on where Arsene Wenger sees Cazorla fitting in.
After scoring against Manchester United, Olivier Giroud returned with a bang and should lead the line this weekend. With Welbeck and Sanchez pushing from wide midfield, he will have plenty of support and will be the spearhead of the Arsenal attack. His return could provide the added spark Arsenal have been lacking.
Arsenal XI: Martinez, Koscielny, Mertesaker, Chambers, Bellerin, Ramsey, Flamini, Welbeck, Cazorla, Alexis, Giroud
Southampton’s back-line will be extremely difficult to break down, with Fraiser Forster, Nathaniel Clyne, Toby Alderweireld, Jose Fonte and Ryan Bertrand all performing admirably thus far this season. However the weekend defeat to Manchester City shows they are vulnerable against attacking class, which Arsenal possess.
Injuries mean the likely midfield trio is not as strong as it could be, with Arsenal will welcome, but Victor Wanyama, Stevan Davis and Jack Cork all possess decent ability. They will push forward often and the loss of Schneiderlin means they are not as defensively strong as usual, which Arsenal may use to their advantage.
What Southampton do have though is a strong attack that can cause a struggling back-line like Arsenal’s real problems. Shane Long, Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic may not be the biggest names in the division but they are building a reputation as a stellar strike force.
Southampton XI: Forster, Clyne, Alderweireld, Fonte, Bertrand, Wanyama, Davis, Cork, Long, Pelle, Tadic