Arsenal v Southampton Match Preview and Team News
The Premier League returns tomorrow after what was a long and rather humiliating international break if you’re an England fan. But back to club football and Arsenal take on Southampton in what is sure to be a fantastic match between two highly placed teams.
Arsenal, who still sit in first place, top of the Premier league, will invite Southampton to the Emirates stadium on Saturday. As well as Arsenal may be doing, and perhaps we are the surprise of the Premier League season so far, we cannot forget Southampton, who in their own respects are doing extremely well.
Their form has taken them to the European places so far this campaign and its largely down to the fact that they are statistically the best defensive side in the league. Artur Boruc and arguably the whole defense has been absolutely key to making sure that they not only stay in contention for games that last season would have been a no go, whilst they are also distinguishing perhaps some of the larger associated teams to take away all three points.
Hopefully the same sort of scenario won’t happen against the Gunners this weekend, but the team must realise this wont just be an easy test. They have several good players now who have all developed over the past year, notably Gaston Ramirez, Adam Lallana, Nathienal Clyne, Ricky Lambert and Jay Rodriguez. Not necessarily big names but certainly good players and the tricky opponents will surely be up for the test this weekend.
After a string of internationals which many Arsenal players were involved I expect a line up as follows:
Szczseny
Sagna Mertesacker Koscienly Gibbs
Ramsey Arteta
Ozil
Cazorla Giroud Gnabry
Walcott is back in contention but I think he will start on the bench, whilst the likes of Podolski and Chamberlain remain injured. Vermaelen will probably take his place back on the bench whilst after an injury scare I doubt Wilshere will feature from the start.
Something you can be pretty certain of is I’m sure we won’t be seeing a repeat of last years fixture, in which the Gunners ran the show with a riveting 6-1 win. Any win will do tomorrow, as long as the Gunners stay ahead of our rivals.
