Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger got some good news on the injury front ahead of this crucial Premier League clash with third placed Southampton, as the injuriy doubts on Kieran Gibbs, Nacho Monreal and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain proved to be false.
So the former Southampton star Chamberlain joined another former Saint Calum Chambers in the Gunners starting line up to face his old club, with the just fit again Olivier Giroud dropping to the bench and Danny Welbeck going back into his favoured centre forward position.
That gives Arsenal a front three full of pace with Alexis Sanchez in the other wide forward role. Wenger prefers Monreal to Gibbs, perhaps to give the England international the rest he wanted to give him in the last game.
Martinez
Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal
Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla
Alexis, Welbeck, Chamberlain
subs: Macey, Gibbs, Bellerin, Rosicky, Podolski, Sanogo, Giroud
Arsenal should be well up for this after recent performances and the Saints may struggle after a heavy defeat and the loss of their midfield general Morgan Schneiderlin. If we get a good start and approach this in the right way, it should be a good night for the Gunners.