Arsenal will head south to take on Southampton at the St Marys stadium in today’s early kick-off, with just one player ruled out at this stage.
Pablo Mari is yet to return to full training after picking up a mild calf strain, but is expected to be back with the team at Cobham next week.
Dani Ceballos may join him being unavailable however, although he is currently only a doubt with the player set to be ‘tested’ as claimed by Arsenal.com.
Predicted XI:
Leno
AMN Chambers Gabriel Soares
Partey Willock
Pepe Nelson Martinelli
Nketiah
As much as I want to see Folarin Balogun given his first senior start for the club, Arteta appears to have made it clear that he favours Eddie, although he hasn’t started much this season either.
With Kolasinac gone, I expect Soares to get the nod on the left today, with AMN not filling me with confidence at LB, despite doing so well at LWB previously, and Soares may well be tried out before the club invest in bringing in another left-back as cover for Tierney.
Ceballos would likely have been given the nod in the centre alongside PArtey if proven to be fit, although we are still awaiting news on that, while Partey looks fully ready to play a second successive match and could do with the minutes.
The goalkeeper spot is anybody’s guess, but with Ryan having joined I expect that means that Runarsson will not be a part of any plans this season, while today may come too soon for our new signing to get his first start.
Which fringe players do you want/expect to see feature today?
Patrick
Partey should be rested for the premier league game, maybe he can come in second half.
I would love to see these underperforming players prove themselves worthy once again. If they can not, Saka, Smith-Rowe, Aubameyang, Lacazette and Partey should come in second half and save us again.
My preferred/predicted line up –
Nketiah.
Nelson. Willian. Pepe.
Willock. Elneny.
Niles. Gabriel. Chambers. Bellerin.
Leno.
We should play our best 11 and stop all this nonsense talk of resting players as this is the only trophy we have a realistic chance of winning. These players are professional sports people and should be able to handle a game every 3-4 days
Perfectly said Perry.
Remove Willock from that list by any means.
Leno
Amn. Chambo gab soares
Willock ellneney
Nelson. Willian. Martinelle
Ballogun
Didn’t Balogun play yesterday anyway?
And scored three!
Did too davi got a hatrick..
I’m predicting a hide-behind-the-sofa performance. As we always do against a team above us in the table.
Different competition means nothing.
Unless the saints really intend to play their kids
willock should not even be in the 25 squad list. As serious manager like pep would have loaned him a long time ago
Yes
Yes