Mikel Arteta aims to arrest Arsenal’s slump as he hopes to secure three points against Southampton and get their top-four chase back on track.
Southampton will surely be mystified in the manner of their defeat to Chelsea, losing 0-6 at home to the Blues last weekend. Their performance was a culmination of their recent displays, which have seen them lose four out of their last five games in the Premier League.
Those results have pushed them down to 14th on the table, something Ralph Hasenhuttl did not envisage after their brilliant form leading to their win over West Ham United in FA Cup fifth round. The Saints are well clear of the relegation zone, although the club would like to see improvement in their position by the end of the campaign.
They remain just a point behind tenth-placed Crystal Palace as a top-half finish will be Hasenhuttl’s aim for the season. However, Southampton now face a wounded Arsenal side, determined to get back on track, which may not be ideal for them, considering the manner of their defeat at home last weekend.
Arsenal come into this clash under extreme pressure as they seek to stay alive in the top-four race after back-to-back losses in the Premier League. Those defeats came to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and last weekend against Brighton at the Emirates. Losing some key players has played its part, but the team’s collective effort was lacking at times.
The dropped points have damaged Arsenal’s hold on fourth place as Tottenham took advantage and moved three points clear of their north London rivals, albeit playing a game more. The race for Champions League places is far from over, with all teams involved still with a chance to spring a surprise.
Arteta will be aiming to arrest the slump and get back to winning ways. Despite injuries hurting the squad, the Gunners are on course to finish in a European place, although their ultimate aim would be to play in next season’s Champions League. However, at this moment and given the next set of fixtures, the manager will take a Europa League place.
Team News & Tactics
Southampton
? "We have a strong opponent coming and we want to show a different face."
Ralph Hasenhüttl on searching for a #SaintsFC response this weekend:
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 15, 2022
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has a clean bill of health with player fitness and availability. Lyanco and Alex McCarthy returned to training this week, while Shane Long is also winning a fitness battle ahead of the clash at St Mary’s.
These players may be available to feature on the bench, although there could be a return to the starting XI for Armando Broja. The Chelsea loanee missed last weekend’s clash due to being ineligible to face his parent club. Hasenhuttl will be hoping to have the young striker back on the field and firing against the Gunners.
Hasenhuttl is likely to keep faith in the same backline, with Tino Livramento, Jan Bednarek, Mohammed Salisu and Kyle Walker-Peters expected to keep their places. There could be a slight change in central midfield with Oriel Romeu giving his place to Ibrahima Diallo.
James Ward-Prowse is expected to hold on to his spot in the middle, while Stuart Armstrong and Mohamed Elyounoussi are the options from wide. Che Adams and Broja could form the strike partnership.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Forster; Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu, Walker-Peters; Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Diallo, Elyounoussi; Adams, Broja
Arsenal
The Gunners have multiple problems in key areas with Mikel Arteta remaining coy on how he might field his team for the Saints game. The manager confirmed Thomas Partey could be staring at a season-ending injury. Key defender Kieran Tierney is already in the treatment room and is likely to have played his last game this term.
Getting set for Southampton ✅
? Our latest training edit has just dropped ?#SOTARS
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 13, 2022
Takehiro Tomiyasu also remains out of action and will continue to miss with a calf problem that has plagued him since the end of January. There are no more problems in the squad, although those three absentees have already hurt Arteta’s team selection.
It remains to be seen if Nuno Tavares comes back into the squad or if Arteta prefers to keep Granit Xhaka at left-back. If it’s the latter, then Albert Sambi Lokonga and Martin Odegaard could again form a midfield double-pivot, which was ineffective against Brighton.
Alexandre Lacazette missed a few days of training, and Arteta chose to keep the reason private. However, he did indicate the striker could be available for the clash, meaning the Frenchman is likely to lead the line once more. Eddie Nketiah remains an option if needed and so does Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian is likely to keep his place on the left side of the attack, while Emile Smith Rowe should slot in Odegaard’s advanced midfield role behind the striker. Bukayo Saka will continue down the right as he remains the main point of this Arsenal attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Cedric, White, Gabriel, Xhaka; Odegaard, Lokonga; Saka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli; Lacazette
Key Stats
- In the last eight Premier League games where Southampton have scored against Arsenal, they have done so in the opening 20 minutes.
- Southampton have won none and lost five of their last six games in all competitions, conceding 19 goals in that run.
- Southampton have lost their last four matches in a row at St Mary’s.
- Arsenal are looking to secure their 250th away win in the Premier League this weekend against Southampton.
- Arsenal have won three of their last five Premier League visits to St Mary’s.
Player to Watch
Alexandre Lacazette
The pressure is on Arsenal, and Lacazette’s name has come into the focus for his lack of goals, in general, let alone from open play. The striker has managed to find the net only four times this season, which is not doing the Gunners any favours in the top-four race.
Lacazette’s record against Southampton remains strong, with him having scored five goals in the last four games versus the Saints. It’s also the Frenchman’s joint-highest tally against a single opponent, tied with West Ham. The game on Saturday holds immense importance and the Arsenal captain needs to score and silence his critics, with the Gunners needing his leadership qualities between now and the end of the season.
Prediction
Southampton 1-2 Arsenal
The Gunners and Saints have been in terrible form, as both teams come into this game wounded. Comparing their overall quality in the last few games, it’s clear, that Arsenal have a better chance of taking three points. However, that was the case in the other two games before this, which brings back the unpredictable nature of the north London side.
However, considering Southampton’s dreadful form in the past weeks, Arsenal should be able to take the win. The Gunners have been off-colour themselves, but with the pressure of getting the top-four race back on track, Arteta’s men will have to deliver the goods and avoid dropping points in a third consecutive league game.
Southampton 0-2 Arsenal
Southampton v Arsenal 1-0