The Saints play host to Arsenal this evening in the Premier League, with the sides having very different outlooks on injuries currently.
Southampton come into the tie without a single player on the sidelines, with Shane Long expected to return following a muscle complaint. They will be without Moussa Djenepo who is suspended however.
The Gunners however have a growing number of players in the physio room, with their defence taking a big hit since the Coronavirus pandemic which stopped play for over three months, while they also have one player forced to miss out through suspension also in David Luiz.
Pablo Mari (ankle) failed to make it through the opening 25 minutes against Manchester City last week, and is unexpected to return this season. He joins Calum Chambers and Bernd Leno on the long-term injury list, but it doesn’t stop there…
Sokratis and Granit Xhaka may have made the trip tonight, but are not believed to be fully-fit, while Gabriel Martinelli is set to meet a knee specialist this week as we look to learn more about his struggles, having suffered with discomfort in training on Monday, but Mikel Arteta is expecting a long lay-off for the talented youngster. Cedric Soares has not played yet but is still recovering from a nasal fracture, and Lucas Torreira is also not recovered from his ankle injury.
Predicted Arsenal XI:
Martinez
Bellerin Mustafi Holding Tierney
Ceballos Willock Saka
Pepe Nketiah Aubameyang
As tough as it is predicting Mikel Arteta’s formation, and whether the manager will opt to bring Mesut Ozil back in after consecutive losses, I feel like Saka playing in a midfield three remains the most likely option.
This formation gives us extra numbers in midfield, and with our defence struggling at present, I’m not sure Arteta would be able to justify putting Ozil into the side knowing we need the cover at the back.
With the games coming thick’n’fast, I’m expecting Maitland-Lines to get a start in the near future, but Willock appears to be ahead of him currently.
Will Ozil be brought back in tonight? Are any players looking a little jaded already after the restart?
What is your predicted Arsenal XI?
Patrick
if we play this, we will still be bang average at best. Put Auba in the middle up front, with Saka and Pepe either side. I don’t know who’s available, but this midfield still hasn’t got the energy & speed on the break like seemingly every other PL team I watch – that’s down to coaching as well as who’s available. I just wish I could remember when I last looked forward to a game….
Guendouzi??
AMN for Bellerin, Guendouzi in midfield and Saka in place of Nketiah. with Aubameyang in the centre forward position.
I’m still unsure that i will bother to watch that game after the horror show at brighton means top 4 hopes is done unless other teams have a meltdown.
Good news on leno which of course with our injury curse meant martenelli is out for months
Guendozy needs dropping, even though we are short in midfield.
Well I have read a lot of coments and there have been so many diverse opinions especially about our manager many sees him as our saviour, well there is nothing wrong in that
What has arteta actually done so far to justify such hype. For one certain Emery he was judged by Wenger’s standard because that’s who his predecessor was. Then fortunately arteta doesn’t have such presure/boots to fill. but Now if he can also do better than this predecessor then it’s a good one (short term though) . What I’m I saying arteta has done virtually everything that we will slate emery for yet some fans think we are delusional to question his decisions.
Our top scorer wasting in the wings, so many questionable line-up then we have Mari,Luiz contract extension, soaress strange substitutions orelse you believe that he has nothing to do with the transfers if so then the talk about Emery players should also seize to exist because we all know that arteta will definitely have a greater say in transfers than Emery ever did.
What I’m I saying I am not trying to compare both managers not at all. But saying we should fold hands and smile while this Strange dicisions are been made is unacceptable the truth still remains as bad as emery was he has achieved more success than arteta.
Every manager should be judged on their performances and decisions made on match days.
Many fans see those questioning arteta’s decisions as part of the problem at the club. All we can hope for is that arteta lives up to the hype or we can see our beloved club taking more step backwards, seeing the number of fans and support arteta have, if this doesn’t work out we may end up giving him so much time than he actually deserve…
Allow Arteta to do at least one preseason with his team. He hasn’t done any and yet people are judging him quickly.
Emery did two and failed woefully that’s why he deserved his sacking.
Emery failed?A Europa league final and just 2 points off 3 rd place.So if Arteta finishes outside the top 10 do you classify this as an improvement?
arteta could not get past round 16 at home in the same europa league that emery reached it’s final
what has arteta done that every bad decision he has taken has been passionately defended
i am not emery’s fan neither has arteta been convincing at his work
👍
I think AMN has more energy and mobility in midfield than Guendouzi and Willock. Our lack of mobility in midfield continues to isolate our strikers.
I’m hoping Arteta do a bit of swapping of Saka on tonight’s game and if we’re not going for win, we should not be won let the defence and midfield cooperates well..
Martinez
Bellerin Mustafi Holding Tierney
Guendouzi
Pepe Ozil Cabellos Saka
Aubamayang
I will like to see this but Guendouzi only can’t cover our defense. Instead, we can play
Martinez
Bellerin Mustafi Holding Tierney 4
Guendouzi Ceballos 2
Pepe Ozil Saka 3
Aubameyang 1
Still a 4-5-1 formation though.
We need Aubameyang Upfront
Despite the injuries crisis, Arsenal look unconvincing and going against a team like Southampton considering our away record and particularly at the St. Mary Stadium, Arsenal will need a magical approach to pocket all three points.
Our defenders look spirited but the midfielders are shamble, no pace, shadow marking, and look short of confidence. Southampton is a touch side to battle especially when in form. Therefore, Arsenal will have to give a good fight if we will all smile at the end of the day.
I like always look forward to an Arsenal FC game it has been really really really disappointing but anyway here we go again and I think Mikel will introduce Mesut back to the 11 and Guendouzi going to the bench or not even that looking at news lately, so our 11 looking something like this
– Mart –
Bell – Must – Hold – Tier
– AMN – Ceba
– Ozil –
Pepe – Laca – Auba
Have no faith in Arteta’s selections lately. Probably expect to see Edie centrally with Auba on the LW, Willock being invisible in midfield, and Kola at LB not Tierney.
Currently best front 3 is
Saka. Auba. Pepe
We’ll see if they start. Rather see AMN in midfield over Willock, but not surprising if he drops Guendouzi and plays Willock.
Please no Guendozy as he will be targeted and get sent off. Mark my words!