Arsenal vs Southampton: Preview & Prediction

Arsenal welcome Southampton to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, looking to seal a second successive Premier League win.

Arsene Wenger’s Gunners recorded their first victory of the new season at the third attempt, seeing off Watford in a 3-1 win at Vicarage Road last Saturday.

Goals in the first half from Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil set the North Londoners on their way, prior to Roberto Pereyra’s consolation for the Hornets in the second-half.

Having left Hertfordshire with all three-points, Arsenal currently find themselves seventh in the Premier League table, so they will be aiming to kick-start their season after a mixed start.

Southampton make the trip to the capital from the South Coast after an indifferent summer which heralded a new managerial appointment in the form of Claude Puel, who replaced Ronald Koeman following the latter’s switch to Everton.

The Saints head into the clash at the Emirates yet to register their first win of 2016/17 – after two draws and a defeat from three matches played so far.

Last time out, a late Jay Rodriguez equaliser salvaged a share of the spoils against David Moyes’ Sunderland at St Mary’s, after previously trailing courtesy of Jermain Defoe’s goal for the Black Cats.

Southampton, currently 15th in the standings in what is their fifth consecutive term amongst England’s elite after promotion from the second-tier in 2012, could possibly be in for a season of transition despite their summer recruitment, most notably, the £16m acquisition of Sofiane Boufal from French Ligue 1 outfit Lille.

The last league meeting between the two sides at Arsenal’s home ground concluded in a goalless stalemate back in February.

Team News:

Arsenal’s French forward Olivier Giroud is set to return to the first-team fold, after missing the win at Watford, but scored on international duty against Italy in mid-week.

New summer signings, Skhodran Mustafi will be available, along with Lucas Perez, though the Spaniard is unlikely to start as he continues to be integrated into the squad.

Centre-back duo Per Mertersacker and Gabriel are unlikely to feature due to injuries sustained in pre-season.

However, midfielder Aaron Ramsey will not be fit, after his comeback from a thigh injury was delayed, but Wenger has been boosted by Alex Iwobi’s timely return.

For the visiting Southampton, full-back Ryan Bertrand remains doubtful with a knee injury that has ruled him out of every encounter this season.

Goalkeeper Fraser Forster is also a doubt with an arm injury that made him pull out of Sam Allardyce’s recent England squad, forcing him to return to his club for treatment.

Florin Gardos is edging near full-fitness after a long-term knee injury, but it remains to be seen whether he will feature at Arsenal.

League Positions: Arsenal – 7th (4pts); Southampton – 15th (2pts)
Last Meeting: Arsenal 0-0 Southampton – (February 2, 2016)
League Form: Arsenal – LDW; Southampton – DLD
Key Men: Arsenal – Alexis Sanchez; Southampton – Nathan Redmond
Shoot Says: Arsenal 2-1 Southampton