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Southampton vs. Arsenal: Preview and predictions

By Jack Deery

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal past David De Gea of Manchester United to make it 2-1 during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on December 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal past David De Gea of Manchester United to make it 2-1 during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on December 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Southampton play their third TV game in two weeks, as they face Arsenal on Sunday at midday, with the Saints looking to get back to winning ways.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s men are coming off the back of a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth last weekend, while the North London side head to the south coast after a 3-1 loss to Man United despite a decent performance.

Southampton have only picked up four points in the last three games, however, there appears to be a slight turn in form with three very competent displays against Everton, Man City and the Cherries. The introduction of Charlie Austin back into the starting XI appears to have had a positive impact on the team, with him bagging three goals in goals games.

Summer signing Alexandre Lacazette is currently Wenger’s top goalscorer with seven goals in the league. The consistent front three of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and the Frenchman has been causing problems for a number of teams this year, with Arsenal lying in fifth, just a point outside the Champions League places.

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BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 03: Charlie Austin of Southampton celebrates after scoring his sides first goal with Sofiane Boufal of Southampton and Ryan Bertrand of Southampton during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Southampton at Vitality Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 03: Charlie Austin of Southampton celebrates after scoring his sides first goal with Sofiane Boufal of Southampton and Ryan Bertrand of Southampton during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Southampton at Vitality Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Arsenal have adopted a 3-4-2-1 formation this season with both Ozil and Sanchez playing as ‘Inside forwards’ in Wenger’s preferred eleven. Southampton on the other hand have predominantly lined up in a more usual 4-2-3-1 formation that can be transformed into a 4-3-3 when attacking.

With Arsenal looking to keep up the pressure on the top four and Southampton hoping to breakaway from mid-table insecurity, it could be a very competitive and exciting match for the neutrals.

The former ‘Invincibles’ won this fixture last year, with Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud both netting in the second half to secure a 2-0 victory.

The season before, however, Southampton struck four when a Cuco Martina wonder goal set the Saints on their way to a 4-0 win.

Why Southampton will win

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The Saints have enjoyed facing the Gunners since their return to the Premier League, and will go into the game with confidence after some decent performances over the past couple of games.

As previously mentioned, Charlie Austin is in red-hot form and will look to continue his purple patch with another goal this weekend. Expect him to hungrier than ever for a goal.

It remains unclear how Pellegrino will set up tactically but if Lemina returns to the starting XI then the Saints could dominate the midfield and swing the result in their favour.

Why Arsenal will win

At the end of the day, it’s hard, if not impossible, to argue that Arsenal aren’t streets ahead of the Saints in terms of quality.

Form aside, the Gunners have it in their locker to put on a show and have players who won’t need two bites at the cherry to score. Lacazette is an impressive talent and Giroud is arguably the perfect super sub.

Even without Mustafi at the back the Gunners still have an impressive back line with arguably two of the league’s best wing-backs to suit. With Jeremy Pied likely to replace the still-injured Cedric Soares, Arsene Wenger’s side could have a field day down the right flank.

Next: 'Trilogy' of tough fixtures lead up to Christmas

Predicted Line-ups:

Southampton: Fraser Forster, Jeremy Pied Virgil van Dijk Wesley Hoedt Ryan Bertrand, Oriol Romeu Mario Lemina, Sofiane Boufal Steven Davis Dusan Tadic, Charlie Austin. (4-2-3-1)

Arsenal: Petr Cech, Laurent Koscielny Per Mertesacker Nacho Monreal, Hector Bellerin Granit Xhaka Aaron Ramsey Sead Kolasinac, Alexis Sanchez Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette. (3-4-2-1)

Prediction

Southampton will be hoping to go into this game and cause an upset with Arsenal currently favourites. Some excellent support, good managing and 100% effort from the players is all we can hope for from Sunday’s game. Any kind of result for the Saints will be considered as a success.

Southampton 1-1 Arsenal

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