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Arsenal vs Southampton team news: Gunners with issues, Saints fully fit

By Marc Walker

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Ralph Hasenhuttl of Southampton after his sides 2-0 defeat during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Arsenal FC at St Mary's Stadium on June 25, 2020 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Ralph Hasenhuttl of Southampton after his sides 2-0 defeat during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Arsenal FC at St Mary's Stadium on June 25, 2020 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images) /
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Southampton make the trip to North London on Wednesday evening and will be looking to claim a third straight Premier League win when they face Arsenal.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side were impressive once again when they saw off Sheffield United on Sunday, with goals from Che Adams, Stuart Armstrong and Nathan Redmond handing them a -0 victory.

Arsenal have struggled hugely recently and sit 15th in the Premier League table before facing Saints – Mikel Arteta and his players picking up just one point from their last five fixtures.

The most striking difference between recent showings from these two teams has been the discipline. Saints defend and attack as a tight unit, whilst former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka was sent off for grabbing the throat of an opponent in the Gunners’ last outing against Burnley.

This fixture last season produced a lively match that eventually ended in a 2-2 draw, but team news ahead of the 2020/21 version has provided clues as to how each side may line up this time around.

Arsenal’s Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta (2R) and Southampton’s Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl (L) (Photo by ANDREW MATTHEWS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta (2R) and Southampton’s Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl (L) (Photo by ANDREW MATTHEWS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Saints look set to have a full squad of players available for selection again after no injury issues were reported during or after their win over Sheffield United.

Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed that this looks to be the case in his pre-match press conference yesterday and stated that the success of his team means that “nobody thinks he’s tired of wants a rest”.

It remains to be seen whether a few changes may be made with so many high-intensity games in such a short space of time. Nathan Redmond may be a candidate for a start after his lively cameo at the weekend.

Arsenal will have two first-choice players in Granit Xhaka and Hector Bellerin out through suspension – red card and five yellow cards respectively – as their matchday squad is put together.

Nicolas Pepe could return from his own suspension, whilst David Luiz, Reiss Nelson and Sead Kolasinac all face late fitness tests to prove their availability.

Midfielder Thomas Partey and forward Gabriel Martinelli are definitely out with longer term issues though.

dark. Next. Arsenal vs Saints Preview: Saints travel to London looking for another win