Granit Xhaka and Kieran Tierney return while Eddie Nketiah starts upfront as Arsenal prepare to take on Southampton at St. Mary’s.
Mikel Arteta has made four changes to the side that lost to Brighton & Hove Albion this past weekend, as Arsenal get set to lock horns with Southampton at the St. Mary’s Stadium.
The first change is a forced one, as Emiliano Martinez comes into the side in place of Bernd Leno, taking his place in the Arsenal goal. In defence, there is one shuffle as well, with Kieran Tierney replacing Sead Kolasinac. Tierney will have Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin for company in the back-line.
? Four changes from Brighton…
➡️ Martinez, Tierney, Xhaka, Nketiah
⬅️ Leno, Kolasinac, Guendouzi, Lacazette#SOUARS— Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 25, 2020
Up ahead in midfield, the big news is the return of Granit Xhaka. The Swiss international had missed out last weekend after sustaining an injury early on against Manchester City. Xhaka will be alongside Dani Ceballos in the double pivot, with Matteo Guendouzi dropping to the bench.
The final change in the starting lineup comes in attack, with Eddie Nketiah starting in place of Alexandre Lacazette. Nketiah will lead the line for Arsenal against Southampton, with captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang playing on the left again. Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka complete the lineup for the Gunners.
Arsenal Starting XI: Martinez, Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Tierney, Xhaka, Ceballos, Saka, Pepe, Nketiah, Aubameyang
