After enduring a stuttering start to the new year in the Premier League, Arsenal will hope to return to winning ways in the competition. Two points from a possible nine was a poor return for Arsene Wegner’s side but the smell of revenge would be in the air when Southampton visit the Emirates tonight. The last time both sides met, the Gunners were on the wrong end of some thrashing as Ronald Koeman’s side finished the game with four unreplied goals at St. Mary’s.
With the Gunners recording a victory over Burnley in the FA Cup last week, the players will be hoping to gather momentum to start a streak of victories that would be needed to win the Premier League, even though they face stiff opposition from Manchester City and Leicester, that have clashes against Sunderland and Liverpool respectively.
The Gunners will have to be weary about the aerial threat Southampton will pose as the club has scored a league-high 10 headed goals in the Premier League so far in 2015/16 and they have also fired in the most crosses from open play in the league this season (436). When both sides met earlier the season, Southampton converted two headed chances from Virgil van Dijk and Jose Fonte but one was ruled out while the other went in.
Arsenal Team News
Wenger made nine changes from the team that lost to Chelsea, so he’s set to welcome back his key players for what will prove to be an all-important game for the Gunners.
Alexis Sanchez and Francis Coquelin got some first team football action, and the Chilean can be proud of his output over the weekend. Sadly, the Gunners will be without Tomas Rosicky, that has picked up another injury. The manager gave some favorable news about Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck but they are not still available for selection.
Arsenal Injury / Suspension News
Jack Wilshere (ankle), Danny Welbeck (knee), Santi Cazorla (knee), Tomas Rosicky (thigh)
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
Southampton Team News
The Saints were not in action over the weekend following their third round defeat to Crystal Palace so Koeman has a very fresh squad to select from as they were given breathers over the weekend. The Saint’s boss was delighted that his new signing, Charlie Austin, was able to score on his debut and he would be hoping for more of the same. Austin banged in 18 goals in the Premier League for QPR before they suffered the ignominy of relegation but the R’s cashed in on the forward when he signalled his intentions of not signing a new deal.
Since the return of injured goalie, Fraser Forster, to the side, the Saints have found some defensive stability and the goalie will want to continue his run of clean sheets that currently stands at three. The last time Forster featured at the Emiratesm he had a Man of the Match performances with a string of saves that kept the Gunners at bay till the death.
Southampton Injury / Suspension News
Florin Gardos (knee), Steven Davis (knock), Graziano Pelle (knee), Jay Rodriguez (foot)
Southampton Predicted Lineup
Team Form
Arsenal
- Last Five Games: W D D L W
- Last Result: Arsenal 2-1 Burnley
- Leading Goalscorer: Olivier Giroud (18)
Southampton
- Last Five Games: L L W W W
- Last Result: Manchester United 0-1 Southampton
- Leading Goalscorer: Graziano Pelle (9)
Gooner Daily predicts a 3 – 0 win.
Elsewhere, the Gunners will be without experienced full back, Mathieu Debuchy, that has moved to Girondins Bordeaux on loanin his quest for regular first team football ahead of Euro 2016. Debuchy has been on the fringes since his return from injury and he has featured just seven times this season. Debuchy has been given the No. 24 jersey with first choice right back, Milan Gajic, wearing the No. 2 jersey.
With Gajic currently injured, Debuchy would slot directly into the team and I expect the fullback to even retain his place when Gajic returns. In their last 4-0 win over Rennes, Bordeaux manager, Willy Sagnol, had to field a defensive midfielder, Andre Biyogo Poko, as an auxiliary right back, so in Debuchy, he has a full back that can offer something to the team.
Currently, Bacary Sagna and Christophe Jallet are currently above Debuchy in the French national team pecking order, so he has five months to impress head coach, Didier Deschamps, ahead of the forthcoming European Championships that will be hosted in France.
I don’t see the fullback returning to North London though, with Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson challenging for a first team berth. Bordeaux are currently seven in Ligue 1, so they stand a chance of qualifying to the Europa League with PSG, Monaco and the season’s surprise package, Angers currently on the Champions League positions.
I wish Debuchy all the best at Bordeaux.
Sayonara.
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