Arsenal make the short trip south to take on Southampton today, as they look to continue their push for the top four.
The Gunners have won four of their last five matches, all of which have been played with our newly-favoured 3-4-2-1 formation, and that form needs to be continued as they look to close the gap between themselves and Manchester City and Liverpool.
We should be boosted by the facts that Southampton have failed to win any of their last four matches, whilst having little to play for this campaign, as well as the being in the knowledge that our opponents endured a tough fighting 0-0 draw on Sunday, which will have taken a lot out of their side.
The Saints will have to try and stop us today without their main star, and most wanted defender Virgil Van Dijk, but Arsenal are not without their own issues.
We have fitness tests to come for both Laurent Koscielny and Granit Xhaka, who both started the weekend’s win over Manchester United, while Santi Cazorla and Danny Welbeck are definitely out. We are boosted by the returns of Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez however.
Predicted Arsenal XI:
Cech
Holding Koscielny/Mustafi Monreal
Oxlade Xhaka Ramsey Gibbs
Walcott Alexis
Giroud
I expect Wenger to rotate some of the players for tonight’s midweek match-up, and our squad should be able to handle the match pile-up much more than our rivals, who may well end up fielding some young fresh players.
I can’t expect anything more than a win today, and a comfortable one at that, with our recent upturn in form building momentum. I’m going with a 3-0 win today, and I have a feeling that Lucas Perez will add a goal, whether he starts the match or not.
What are your predictions? How many changes will Wenger make?
Pat J