Arsenal will be looking to seek revenge after Southampton knocked them out of the FA Cup on Saturday, as they face them inside their stadium for the second time in four days.
The Gunners will have their strongest line-up starting today’s match, although we are missing the odd player as noted in our Confirmed Team News.
Before the weekend, our side had remained unbeaten since Boxing Day, picking up five wins and a draw in that time, but the loss to Southampton on Saturday may have taken the wind out of our sails a little.
Arsenal were hoping for an extended run in the FA Cup as we looked to defend our triumph of last season, but it wasn’t to be.
Southampton’s form before the weekend wasn’t looking too great either with just one goal in their last five league fixtures, but thanks to two victories in the FA Cup inside a week, they can now boast three wins from their last four matches in all competitions, including three clean sheets.
Arsenal know that the Saints are not to be underestimated, but they had looked like they were losing form previously, but that can no longer be considered.
Our side will need to be at our best to collect all three points against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s extremely organised side, but as long as we bring our recent league form with us, we should have every chance.
While I expect a strong battle this evening, I can’t separate the sides, and predict that we will struggle to come away with the win. I can see the game ending 1-1, but I of course have hopes that we will be able to take the early lead, and use our advantage to assure ourselves of the win, but nothing is guaranteed this evening.
Am I giving too much respect to Southampton? What are your early predictions for the evening encounter?
Patrick
If we don’t win, MA will get slammed by ecery single pundit and news outlet for playing a weakened team in the FA Cup. A win will be a nice boost up the table, albeit with teams having up to 3 games in hand around us.
I hope we can get all 3 points tonight for the teams and MA sake.
*every
I hope we win, but I am predicting a 1 – 1 score draw.
Before I knew Aubamayang and possibly Tierney out I said 2-2 but am not so confident now.
If Tierney ,Partey and ESR start, we will win .
I feel confident because just removing Elneny and Gabriel( the two main culprits in defense)plus Willian and Pepe in attack,we should have a better chance than last week game.
Arsenal to win 2-1 or draw 1-1. Soton have been firing blanks in many recent games, just can’t see them scoring more than 1. Arsenal need the Saka and Smith Rowe combination to go on.
I predict 2 goals to Nile in the favor of arsenal but I want G.matinielli in our line up pls
2-1 Southampton win to complete double don’t fancy our chances 1 bit!!
Leno
Bellerin Holding Luiz Soares
Partey Xhaka
Saka ESR Martinelli
Laca
Sub: Ryan, Gabriel, AMN, Elneny, Willock, Willian, Pepe, Nketiah, Chambers
Unless we score in the first half its going to be a tough game, no one to come off the bench and change the game (Pepe is capable but . . .). Its the substitution that is going to be tricky.
We must take full advaage of their fullback situation early on and not allow them to press with intensity.
Pepe for Martinelli (try him on left)
Elneny for Xhaka (for the sake of using substitution)
Willock for Soares (Saka to LB, ESR right and Willock through middle)
I would love to see Balogun and/or Azeez in the bench but don’t fancy it happening.
Willock through the middle so he will running around like headless chicken? No way. He shldnt be making our match day square.
Next option is Willian but I would like Arteta to show that sloppiness would not be rewarded.