Arsenal picked up their first win of the new season against Watford in their last game. We will be looking to make it two wins on the bounce and gain our first home victory of the season on Saturday, given that Emirates hasn’t been a happy hunting ground of late for our weekend’s opponents Southampton.
They are having a hard time looking for victories in their first three games this term as the club remained winless with two draws and a loss.
Arsenal are all set to welcome two of their newest members Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez into their starting XI. Mustafi’s arrival will strengthen our backline which was looking extremely weak until last weekend. Arsenal fans will be eager to watch Mustafi-Koscielny combination at the heart of defense. Perez, meanwhile, is expected to start on the substitutes’ bench, with Giroud leading the line.
In February, Arsenal were held by the Saints, then managed by Ronald Koeman, as they conceded ground in the title race, but this time will hope to thrust themselves towards the early pace-setters with victory in north London.
Arsene Wenger, in his pre-match press conference didn’t say much. He told reporters that:
[The new signings] have adapted very quickly and very well but the real test is the games. The focus is on quality in the training and we’ll see how they get on.
After a poor start, the Gunners are five points behind Chelsea and the Manchester clubs and are already playing catch-up. We will be determined to close the gap with our rivals with a win this weekend.
Match Facts:
Arsenal have not lost in their last 21 home games against Southampton. They have however, won only 1 out of their 6 meetings with Southampton (D2 L3)
Southampton have kept 3 consecutive clean sheets against Arsenal, which is equal to the number of clean sheets they managed in their previous 32 encounters with the Gunners.
Southampton are no pushovers, but they are still struggling to adapt to Puel’s system and I think they will fall just short this time at Emirates.
Who do you think will win the match ?
