So Arsenal have yet another must-win home game in our quest to keep our top four hopes alive, and as we are also looking for revenge over Southampton for our defeat at St Marys the three points will be even sweeter. In our favour the Saints haven’t beaten us in front of our own fans since 1987 so they have a lot of history to overcome.
In their favour, despite being embroiled in the relegation battle, they haven’t been beaten away from St. Mary’s since their shock win over us in December. Here is their last six away games…..
Yes they’ve done okay in their last four, but I am sure once they see our recent home form, they may not be feeling so confident. Here is our recent record….
Everyone else seems to be fit, except for our long term casualties of Bellerin, Holding and Welbeck, and I expect Lacazette to also start after being banned on Thursday.
Despite changing to a back four for our attacking strengths against BATE, I think Emery will revert to his safety first back five line-up again today and also bring in a little rotation.
Leno
Lichtsteiner Mustafi Sokratis Monreal Kolasinac
Torreira Xhaka Guendouzi
Ramsey Iwobi
Lacazette
That may seem to be drastic changes, but after playing on Thursday night I am pretty sure that Emery had planned for this to keep our players fresh, and I think this should be more than enough to beat the Saints.
It’s about time Lacazette came good and he must be itching to play after a two-week break. My prediction is 2-0 to the Arsenal…
4-2-3-1 or 4-1-3-2 please not 3-5-2 and not Lichtsteiner, if possible.
Another difficult game for us but think a 2-1 or 3-1 win for us.
If Emery reverts to a back five again then it’s crap. We all want our defensive issues fixed but it’s obvious and clear it can’t happen with these defenders we have and that we need to get new players.
I’m not hoping to see to see us sacrifice our attacking prowess at home.
We’ve always beaten Soton with four defenders, I don’t see why we can’t now, if you even consider the fact that we still lost the first leg while playing five at the back.
After Thursday, I am not interested in watching boring football again, let’s pick it up from where we left on Thursday.
I can’t stomach us playing defensive while allowing Soton the peace of mind to attack us at home, so I hope your prediction is wrong
One of the very rare occasions I agree with you Eddie! No back 5 ??
I certainly hope it’s not that back 5 defensive nonsense. It takes me back to the Arteta-Flamini midfield days.. those were painfully boring and unbearable. It’s like Arteta invented sideways and backwards passing.
Lichsteiner?Are you feeling ok?The back five suggested must be the poorest in the history of our Club.We should play a flat back four of AMN, Mav,Kocielney, and Monreal.If Lichsteiner plays i,m willing to bet he is subbed at some stage in the match.
I know Lichtsteiner had a good game on Thursday, but 2 on the spin might be pushing it a little, so I’d rather he was benched!
Will Kolasinac make the team??
Wish I was going to the game, it’s lush there when the sun’s shining!! COYG
The only issue with the lineup is that you’ve picked 12, Haha!
Not sure if AMN is fit for this one, but I’d pick:
Leno
Jenkinson (if AMN is out) Sokratis Mavropanos Monreal
Torreira Xhaka
Miki Ramsey Suarez
Lacazette
Saurez, and especially Mavro need to get game time at some point, so either today or Bournemouth are surely the perfect opportunities? If not these two games, then when?
Of late admin you normally post twelve players in your line up …. Or am I the only one seeing this …..
Mr Admin , I trust that your score prediction means that you fully realise you think we would thus go two games with a clean sheet. Just saying. Were I a betting man, WHICH I AM, I would be laying another clean sheet.
Lineup confirmed, Unai is putting himself on the line with this one
Lichtsteiner ? No Mesut….. what a surprise! At least Kolasinac starts ?
What a lineup! Emery the man indeed.