Arsenal have two new signings to field as they hope to keep their momentum going in the Premier League. After a loss, a draw and a win in their opening three games, the Gunners come up against the team that derailed their title challenge last season in Southampton.

Arsenal were reigning at the top of the Premier League table in December last year, before the Saints kick-started their slump with a 4-0 victory at St. Mary’s. The next fixture between the two at the Emirates ended in a goalless draw, and fans will be hoping for a bit more excitement this time around.

Arsene Wenger comes up against one of his former students in Claude Puel, who Wenger managed for seven years when he was the manager at AS Monaco from 1987 to 1994. The Southampton manager will be looking to get one over his former mentor, as the Saints look for their first win of the season.

Team news and tactics

Arsenal

The Gunners will look to continue their quick passing, aesthetically pleasing style of play as the team look to link up and breach the Saints defence. The arrival of Shkodran Mustafi provides some welcome relief for the Gunners, after conceding five goals in three games this season.

The German is expected to pair up with Arsenal player of the month for August, Laurent Koscielny, at the heart of defence. The two will hold a high line against the Saints, even as the two full-backs attack from the wings. Granit Xhaka will also have his fair share of defensive duties as the more attack minded Santi Cazorla often moves further up-field.

Arsenal will look to press further up the pitch, and the unselfish style of play instilled by Arsene Wenger will pay rich dividends when they enter the final third. It remains to be seen if the Gunners persist with Giroud or bring in new signing Lucas Perez up front as the choice finisher. Wenger would most probably want to ease the latter into the team rather than start him immediately.

Probable lineup (4-2-3-1): Cech; Monreal, Koscielny, Mustafi, Bellerin; Xhaka, Cazorla; Sanchez, Ozil, Walcott, Giroud

Southampton

The Saints have been playing two strikers up-front with a midfield diamond behind them in a 4-4-2 formation. The double forward pairing has failed to pay dividends though, as they have only scored twice in three games. However, Puel is most likely going to stick with two strikers, although the team will probably play in the commonplace 4-2-3-1 formation for most of the game.

Puel will stress on maintaining a good share of the possession, defending deep and pressing in Southampton’s own half while off the ball. The quick interplay between Arsenal players makes closing down of space a top priority, maintaining a tight structure at the back will be key to Southampton’s game plan.

The club will look to their star play maker Dusan Tadic to provide attacking impetus from midfield, ahead of the more defensive minded Oriol Romeu and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. They will be without their club record signing Sofiane Befoul, with the Moroccan midfielder out with an injury.

Probable lineup (4-2-3-1): Forster; Bertrand, Fonte, Van Dijk, Soares; Romeu, Hojbjerg; Redmond, Davis, Tadic; Long

Key Stats

  • Arsenal and Southampton have won three each in their last 10 games against each other, with four matches ending in a draw.
  • The Gunners haven’t scored a single goal in their last three games against the Saints.
  • Arsenal are undefeated in 11 of their last 12 home games against Southampton in all competitions.
  • Spaniard Santi Cazorla has been involved in 50% of Arsenal’s goals this season, with a goal and two assists.
  • The Saints rank joint-third with Liverpool in terms of possession this season, behind Chelsea and Man City.

Player to watch out for

Shkodran Mustafi

Mustafi (R) could be the heir to his compatriot Per Mertesacker. (Photo by Arne Dedert/AFP)
Mustafi (R) could be the heir to his compatriot Per Mertesacker. (Photo by Arne Dedert/AFP)

The German international joined Arsenal from Valencia for a reported £35 million, after a prolonged transfer saga which extended throughout the summer. Mustafi will have to hit the ground running, as Wenger will throw him in the deep end in the absence of his experienced defenders Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista.

The 25-year-old was one of the standout performers for Los Che last season, and he will be hoping to emulate that form in the Premier League.

Betting tips

Despite the Manchester Derby grabbing the headlines, The Hard Tackle feels this is the match to look out for in terms of bets and overall experience.

Although, the teams have a combined total of 3 cards per game, the odds of over 3.5 cards @ 2.20 are heavily overpriced and it would make sense to back the market as some of the newcomers into the Premier League might take time to adjust to the refereeing system in the Premier League as is the case with any league.

Besides this, the two teams have seen additions being made to their attacking lineup with Lucas Perez and Sofiane Boufal joining the respective sides. While Perez is your customary prolific goalscorer, Boufal is described as an exciting player and could be the difference maker in the match. The former Lille player could provide the Soton attack with the edge that has been missing this season.

The Hard Tackle feels the game could prove to be a tough outing for the Arsenal squad and Soton could nick in a point or maybe even three.

Standard Bets:

1. Over 3.5 cards @ 2.20
2. Draw or Soton @ 2.40

Underdog Bets:
1. Southampton DNB @ 4.50
2. Sofiane Boufal to score anytime @ 5.00
3. Nathan Redmond to score anytime @ 5.00

Prediction

Arsenal 2-0 Southampton

Southampton are looking a shadow of the resilient side that they were under Ronald Koeman. It has been yet another summer of upheaval for the south coast club, as they lost winger Sadio Mane, striker Graziano Pelle, midfielder Victor Wanyama and manager Koeman himself.

This happened two summers ago as well, when they lost Mauricio Pochettino and a host of other stars, but it is looking unlikely that the Saints will recover as quickly as they did from that exodus.

Arsenal were dominant in the first half against Watford, and will be looking to carry on in the same vein. The added boost of Mustafi means that they are defensively stronger as well. The Saints will have a tough time in this one.

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