Arsenal vs Southampton - Team News and Predicted LineUp

After this most recent international break, the English Premier League returns with Arsenal playing Southampton at the Emirates in what appears to be the best fixture of the weekend from a pure footballing perspective. Since the beginning of September, Arsenal and Southampton have the 1^st and 2^nd best points totals in the English Premier League. While Arsenal did beat Southampton 6-1 in this fixture last season and drew 1-1 at St. Mary’s, both matches were played when Nigel Adkins managed the Saints. Under Mauricio Pochettino, Southampton have transformed themselves into a real contender for the top 4, and play a style completely different to any other Premier League team Arsenal have faced or will face this season. At the same time, Arsenal have transformed into a Premier League title challenger, playing fluid attacking football while maintain a solid defensive record. They represent a level of quality that this Southampton side has yet to face this season.

The two sides come into this fixture after experiencing contrasting fortunes prior to the international break. Arsenal, due to a combination of fatigue and the flu, played arguably their worst match of the season against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Although they dominated the second half, their inability to create quality chances, combined with their not showing up for the first 45 minutes, led to them dropping all three points. Southampton, on the other hand, are coming off their most convincing score-line of the season, thrashing Hull City at St. Mary’s, 4-1. So it is possible that the international break gave Arsenal exactly what they needed (rest and health) while not providing much benefit for the Saints. What is more certain is that this match will serve as one of the more entertaining fixtures of the season so far.

Arsenal –Team News, Lineup and, Formation

While the flu helped to kill Arsenal’s chances to win at Old Trafford, it did allow some of their important players to avoid playing over the break, like Mesut Ozil, or to avoid playing two matches, like Per Mertesacker. According to ESPN.co.uk, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky, Yaya Sanogo, and Lukas Podolski will remain unfit for this fixture. More depressing was the news of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s injury setback, which pushes back his return to January 2014 at the earliest. Mathieu Flamini will also miss this match after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at Old Trafford. Finally, it seems Jack Wilshere picked up an injury due to a tackle by Sidney Sam in England’s match against Germany. His status for the match is unknown at this point. However, Gooners will be happy to hear that Theo Walcott has been cleared to play. While Arsenal have had success playing central midfielders in wide positions, Walcott’s pace and finishing adds a vertical threat that no other healthy Arsenal player can offer, with the possible exception of Serge Gnabry.

Given Flamini’s suspension, fitting Walcott back into the XI is a relatively simple task. Without Flamini, Arsene Wenger can place Aaron Ramsey as an all-action central midfield next to a deep sitting Mikel Arteta. The attacking trio behind Olivier Giroud will likely have Santi Cazorla on the left, Ozil, in the center, and Walcott on the right. Arsenal’s first choice defenders are all fit, so Gibbs-Koscielny-Mertesacker-Sagna will play at the back. Of the possible subs at Arsene Wenger’s disposal, outside of Nacho Monreal, Thomas Vermaelen, and/or Carl Jenkinson coming on to protect a lead, Serge Gnabry seems the most likely to come on. Depending on Walcott’s match fitness, Wenger may look to bring on a like-for-like replacement in Gnabry.

Arsenal’s goalkeeper, back four, and deep midfield players must remain alert and make quick and correct decisions, as no other side in the Premier League presses as high and as intensely as Southampton. Being lazy in possession or being loose with one’s passing is a quick way to gift Southampton an excellent opportunity to score a goal. Given how strong their defensive record has been, just one mistake at the back could cost Arsenal all three points.

Possible Starting Lineup [4-2-3-1]: Szczesny (GK), Sagna (RB), Mertesacker (RCB), Koscielny (LCB), Gibbs (LB), Arteta (CM), Ramsey (CM), Cazorla (LAM), Ozil (CAM), Walcott (RW), Giroud (CF)

My Prediction : Arsenal 2-0 Southampton