Southampton vs Arsenal Preview: Can Saints get another PL win?

Southampton face a tough return to home action as they take on Arsenal at St Mary’s.

Following the decisive 0-3 victory over Norwich Saints look to be in good shape heading into Thursday evening’s clash. Conversely the restart has not been so kind to the visitors.

Before the season’s restart the Gunners were unbeaten in the league in 2020. Since the return Mikel Arteta side have conceded three to Manchester city and a dramatic late winner to relegation candidates Brighton. With that late defeat the Seagulls completed the double over the Londoners.

SFC who currently sit in 14th on 37 points, can go level on points with their opponents on 40.

Recent battles between the two sides have been relatively well matched of the last five games in the top-flight, Southampton has one once and drawn twice. Unfortunately, for fans of the South coast side the overall history of the fixture does not make for good reading.

Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal battles for possession with Jan Bednarek of Southampton (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Statistics highlighted by the official Premier League website show that Southampton have only won seven times out of the previous 41 attempts. For those looking for a good omen to take into the latest bout, all of Southampton’s victories have come at home. Although this does not include the team’s notable away victories in the EFL Cup.

Those who have followed this season’s exploits may be sceptical that Saints can make it eight on their own turf. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men have the worst home record in the division having only taken all three points on four occasions.

Hasenhüttl Will be hoping the absence of fans will ease the pressure on his struggling playing staff. Arsenal will be without first choice keeper Bernd Leno after being stretchered off at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday. Goal.com suggest that “there are fears he has damaged the cruciate ligament in his left knee and could be facing up to a year out.”

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Emi Martinez is likely to pick up the gloves for Thursday’s affair. The second-choice keeper deputized for the German as his side fell to a 2-1 defeat in Sussex.

Arteta, will also be without the services of Pablo Mari and Granit Xhaka after they picked up injuries against Manchester city. As Goal puts it: “with Mari now ruled out for the rest of the season and Xhaka not expected to resume training again for at least two weeks.”

David Luiz however will be available after serving a one match ban, following his dismissal against the Citizens.

Southampton have a somewhat brighter outlook with the squad appearing to have a clean bill of health. Shane Long is once again fighting fit after recovering from the minor injury that kept him out of his side’s trip to Norfolk. (Source Southampton YouTube channel)

How Southampton Will Win

Saints impressed in the return to action with some very, cool, calm, and clinical finishing. Apart from a shaky opening quarter of an hour, the Canaries were given very little to work with.

SFC built promising attacks off of cheap turnovers. Arsenal have already proven to be weak at the back, while Danny Ings has shown himself able to profit off lapses of judgment.

If the hosts can hold the midfield as they did last time out, Arsenal will find it very difficult. Saints will have to be sharp in front of goal if they are going to win this one.

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How Arsenal Will Win

The visitors may have restarted their season poorly, but they should by no means be taken lightly.

The partnership between Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looked to be simpatico as they displayed threatening link up play against Brighton.

With 17 league goals this season Aubameyang will be a threat to a defence that has hardly looked invincible this season. If the opposition frontline is given plenty of service it will be a tricky night for Southampton Score

Squads

Saints

Alex McCarthy, Angus Gunn, Kyle Walker-Peters, Yan Valery, Jan Bednarek, Jack Stephens, Jannik Vestergaard, Kevin Danso, Ryan Bertrand, James Ward-Prowse, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oriol Romeu, Will Smallbone, Stuart Armstrong, Nathan Redmond, Sofiane Boufal, Nathan Tella, Danny Ings, Shane Long, Michael Obafemi, Che Adams

Arsenal

Emiliano Martinez, Matt Macey, Hector Bellerin, Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Sead Kolasinac, Zech Medley, Kieran Tierney, Granit Xhaka, Dani Ceballos, Matteo Guendouzi, Ainsley Maitlan-Niles, Bukayo Saka, Nicolas Pepe, Reiss Nelson, Mesut Ozil, Joe Willock, Eddie Nketiah, Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Prediction: 1-1

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