Arsenal can extend their unbeaten run to 23 matches across all competitions when they entertain struggling Southampton on the road this weekend. The Gunners only managed a close 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town last time out and the upcoming game at St Mary’s could provide another tricky prospect with the Saints recently witnessing a change in management which usually bring about a reaction from the players.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Lineup:
Bernd Leno has been the Gunners’ outright choice for the league goalkeeping duties since October and the German should reclaim his position at St Mary’s.
In the defence, Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac should continue commanding their roles on the right and left side of the backline but the central defensive department will certainly experience a change with both Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos suspended for one domestic game after accumulating five yellow cards in the Premier League.
In their places, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal appear the likelier pair to feature with Rob Holding already on the sidelines for the long-term. The former is set to make his first Premier League bow since April after recovering from a serious Achilles injury.
In the midfield, Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka have pretty much sealed their positions under Emery and they should retain their places in the centre of the park for the trip to the South Coast.
Further forward, Mesut Ozil could re-enter the fray following his recent return from a back problem and we are fancying him to slot into the number 10 role in a league game for the first time since November 11.
The German could be flanked by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Iwobi on the left and right wing respectively while Alexandre Lacazette should lead the line against the Saints after scoring the sole goal against Qarabag in midweek.
Image – Getty
