Arsenal Vs Southampton Preview & Live

Arsenal Vs Southampton
3rd December: 19:45 BST
Emirates Stadium


Round 2

Arsenal host Southampton on a cold Wednesday night which might or might not bring some memories back from few months back when both teams clashed in the Capital One Cup but to a bitter ending for the home side. In a way, tomorrow could be about revenge but I don't think it should come to that. Tomorrow's game should be about being professional and quietly increase the winning run from 2 games to 3. If you remember, we had an optimistic discussion about pulling a decent winning run few weeks back which ended in a dash. But it could be different now. The wins against Dortmund and WBA should give us enough confidence and boost to give our best against Southampton tomorrow. Specially with Koscielny back and our attack clicking so well and maybe we have finally found the right balance between attack and defence

Southampton have been having a fantastic season. But they have fluttered whenever they faced a big team in the league. This is not to say that they will definitely lose but it's to say that they are a team we really should be beating despite their great form minus the last game. Obviously it will be difficult, but at home and when it really counts, I would be disappointed with anything but 3 points. Specially when it will also take us 3 points closer to 3rd.

Team News

Arsenal's Nacho Monreal and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are doubtful with knee problems, while Kieran Gibbs is struggling with a ankle injury. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny (hip) and Mikel Arteta (calf) are both still out.

Southampton will be without Morgan Schneiderlin, who injured his thigh in Sunday's defeat to Manchester City.
The midfielder could be replaced by Jack Cork, who has recovered from illness or Harry Reed could also be called upon.

Expected Arsenal Team

--------------------------Martinez------------------------
Chambers------Mertesacker------Koscielny-------Monreal
--------------Ramsey-------Flamini-----------------------
Oxlade---------------Cazorla-------------------Sanchez
---------------------Giroud--------------------------------

Expected Southampton Team

-------------------------Forster--------------------------
Clyne-----------Fonte------------Alderweireld-----Bertrand
-----------------Wanyama-------Cork-------------------
Davis---------------------Tadic--------------------Mane
-------------------------Pelle-------------------------------


Match Facts(fourfourtwo)

• Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine Barclays Premier League games against Southampton (W5 D4).
  
• Ronald Koeman's side have already won at the Emirates this season in the Capital One Cup (2-1).
  
• Olivier Giroud has scored three goals in his last two Premier League games against the Saints.
  
• The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 19 home league games against the Saints (W14 D5).
  
• Arsene Wenger has come up against Ronald Koeman on seven occasions, winning just one match, drawing four and losing two.
  
• Arsenal have been trailing at some point in five of their six Premier League games at the Emirates Stadium this season.
  
• Nathaniel Clyne has found the net in two of this last three appearances against Arsenal at the Emirates, the winner in the Capital One Cup this season and an own goal in a 1-6 defeat in the league in September 2012.
  
• Defeat to Man Utd last time out ended a run of 23 home league games without defeat for the Gunners, but they have now won just one of the last five (W1 D3 L1) at the Emirates in the PL.
  
• Arsenal have attempted more shots (excl. blocked) from outside the box than any other Premier League side this season (70).
  
• Southampton's three PL defeats this season have all come against sides that finished in the top six of the 2013-14 Premier League table (Man City, Liverpool and Tottenham). Arsenal finished fourth last season.
  

These injuries are a problem, looks like Monreal will have to be sacrificed tomorrow. Its all about keeping that defensive solidity we have at the moment, with the players we have we will always create chances so no need to overcommit and leave ourselves exposed. It will be interesting to see what formation Arsene uses tomorrow, think he might might pack the midfield with a 4-1-4-1 again. I hope we are a bit clinical when we get our chances tomorrow.

Nice write up RG

Can't wait for this game because I'm back at the emirates tomorrow, rooting for another home win

wooooo

Nice word RG.

Its so nice to see Koscielny back in the starting line up, really missed him so much. The pressure is on, we could be 3 points away from 3rd place with a win. No excuses, a must win game. We cannot afford to drop points now, its December and schedule only gets harder.

Southampton are a good team and not taking our chances will end up costing us the game like United game. Wenger must get the squad selections and timing of substitutions right.

Kinda worried about Flamini.

Arsenal have attempted more shots (excl. blocked) from outside the box than any other Premier League side this season (70).

u wot?
How accurate is that
Anyway, if true, makes for a nice change of things from what we were used to for most of the previous seasons.

Nice work RG
Personally think that if we keep our balance and organisation from the previous two games and of course take the chances that we get then 3 points should be in the bag. As easy as that imo.

Nice work RG. I'm slightly confident of a win, but we need to be at our best.

Arsenal v Southampton: Martinez, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Ramsey, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis, Welbeck

Arsenal subs: Macey, Gibbs, Bellerin, Rosicky, Podolski, Sanogo, Giroud

Where is Campbell? Not good enough to make the bench?

Usually he isn't on.

srigooner wrote:Where is Campbell? Not good enough to make the bench?

Probably packing to enable a quick move in the transfer window.

For someone blessed with good pace, Welbeck can't dribble. The guy looses every one on one against a defender

Koscielny is so good man. Great to have him back

EL Patron wrote:For someone blessed with good pace, Welbeck can't dribble. The guy looses every one on one against a defender

That might be why he was 4th choice at manu.

6unner wrote:

EL Patron wrote:For someone blessed with good pace, Welbeck can't dribble. The guy looses every one on one against a defender

That might be why he was 4th choice at manu.

He can't even perform the most easiest of dribble ffs

Missing Arteta. Flamini is awful

I wonder how many backpasses Flamini has made in this first half? man he is so useless.

Santi should be taking all set pieces, don't know why Sanchez and Ox take them. What a flat performance so far, need a bit more urgency in our game. Arteta is sorely missed, someone who can keep the ball moving efficiently. Watching Flamini is painful and frustrating, we are playing with 10 man when we attack ffs

Need Giroud in, we have very little presence in the box.

Twoism wrote:Need Giroud in, we have very little presence in the box.

wait until the 75 minute

I dont know what Wenger sees in Flamini?

Not much. But he has no other option

Missing Özil/Arteta our controllers.

Need to tell Ramsey/Cazorla to drop deep and start our start our attacks, Flamini as usual avoiding that responsibility.

we are going to beat Moyes record in terms of crosses ? why did Ox go off

that's uncool for Ox, he's our best player attacking wise.