Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal will look to heap the pressure on the Premier League’s top four with victory at Southampton on Wednesday night (7.45pm kick-off).
The Gunners kept their top four challenge on track courtesy of a vital 2-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday, and now trail fourth place Manchester City by six points but with Wednesday’s crucial game in hand to come.
It means that Wenger’s men can really ramp up the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s men and indeed Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who are just a point better off than the Citizens, with all three points on the South Coast.
However, it won’t be easy against a Southampton side bidding for their fourth successive top-half finish in the Premier League.
Claude Puel’s men currently sit tenth in the division after drawing 0-0 at Anfield on Sunday, but know that victory at St Mary’s on Wednesday could take them up to eighth in the league table.
Nonetheless, Wenger’s Arsenal will go in as favourites after four wins from their last five Premier League games, although with games to come on Saturday and Tuesday as well, the Frenchman may have to make some changes to his side.
Thus, here are THREE Arsenal stars who deserve a chance against Southampton…
Gabriel
If Wenger considers changing things up at the back, or is forced to given they have games coming on Saturday and Tuesday as well, he may look to bring Gabriel back into the first team reckoning.
The 26-year-old like many Gunners defenders has been much-improved in Wenger’s back three system in recent times, most notably in their 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley last month.
Although the Brazilian was far from his best against Spurs last time out, Wenger clearly rates him, and with games coming thick and fast in the next seven days, he may return to the starting line-up at St Mary’s on Wednesday.
Alex Iwobi
Southampton have been very resolute in recent weeks, with back-to-back clean sheets, so Arsenal may need something slightly different to break them down at St Mary’s on Wednesday.
And that’s where the pacey and tricky Alex Iwobi may earn a recall.
The Nigeria international was a regular starter in the early phase of the season but has fallen victim of Wenger’s new three-at-the-back system, and thus hasn’t started a Premier League match since their 3-1 defeat at Liverpool back on March 4.
Yet, with three games in seven days to come and a Saints backline tough to break down, Wenger may need the 21-year-old in fine form at St Mary’s on Wednesday night.
Theo Walcott
If Wenger isn’t sold on bringing Alex Iwobi into the side, he may turn to former Southampton forward Theo Walcott for their trip to St Mary’s on Wednesday.
The England international has had an excellent season at the Emirates in which time he has scored 19 goals and laid on two assists in all competitions, yet hasn’t started a Premier League game since their 1-0 win over Leicester at the end of April.
However, there’s little doubt, as Saints fans will know, that the 28-year-old has the pace to unsettle a well-organised and well-drilled Southampton defence, and that could be the difference for the Gunners on Wednesday night.