HomeTeams - PLArsenalArsenal vs Southampton Preview | Team News, Stats & Key Men

Arsenal vs Southampton Preview | Team News, Stats & Key Men

Arsenal take on Southampton this Saturday at the Emirates stadium. The Gunners will be looking to pocket their first home win of this season. After a highly disappointing start, Arsenal won against Watford in their last game.

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Meanwhile Southampton are yet to win a game. They’ve drawn two matches and lost one against the Red Devils. The Saints are looking to seal three points, and stop playing matches resulting in draws.

Team News

Arsenal

Shkodran Mustafi suffered a light blow playing for Germany against Finland, but he has undergone treatment, and is expected to make his debut. Aaron Ramsey should be available after a hamstring injury, while Alex Iwobi is likely to play as well. Remaining absent from the squad would be Gabriel, Danny Welbeck, Per Mertesacker and Carl Jenkinson.

Southampton

Fraser Forster was injured with an arm injury but team-mate Alex McCarthy replaced him in the England squad, and will probably deputise for his club if required. Saints have no other fresh injury concerns, but they are about to enter a strenuous week as Europa League commitments crop up.

Interesting Facts

Arsenal have won just one of their last six home Premier League openers, so defeat to Liverpool should have come as no surprise to Gunners season ticket holders.

However, their home record last season was among the best – 12 wins at the Emirates was the joint highest in the Premier League – and Southampton have not won away at Arsenal in the league for 29 years.

Arsenal have not registered a home win so far this season, and they would be looking to win against Southampton.

League Head to Head

02/02/2016 Premier League 2015/2016 Arsenal 0 – 0 Southampton
26/12/2015 Premier League 2015/2016 Southampton 4 – 0 Arsenal
01/01/2015 Premier League 2014/2015 Southampton 2 – 0 Arsenal
03/12/2014 Premier League 2014/2015 Arsenal 1 – 0 Southampton
23/09/2014 League Cup 2014/2015 Arsenal 1 – 2 Southampton
28/01/2014 Premier League 2013/2014 Southampton 2 – 2 Arsenal

Key Players

Arsenal – Laurent Koscielny

Laurent Koscielny has managed to have a powerful start after returning to first team duty for Arsenal. He has won the Gunners’ Player of the Month award for August, and he has truly deserved it.

The Gunners did struggle without him against Liverpool, as he was still on his post-Euro break. However, he impressed everybody as he returned a week later, and held the defending champions Leicester City to a goalless draw at the King Power stadium. Koscielny displayed his impressive skills even against Watford, as Arsenal won 3-1.

This award would just prove to be further motivation, and Arsenal will need Koscielny to provide a strong defensive hold against Southampton, this Saturday.

Southampton – Nathan Redmond

Nathan Redmond has made a place for himself in the Southampton squad right from day one. He is fast, agile, and can connect well with his team-mates. Although he did admit that he’s still learning, what’s obvious is that his performances are getting stronger.

As seen in the case of Raheem Sterling’s remarkable fightback under Pep Guardiola, it has been established that a good manager can truly bring the best out of players. Puel and Redmond have a good relationship, and Puel is a strong mentor. Undoubtedly, Redmond can go far in his career with the Saints under Puel.

He scored on debut, which helped the Saints close a draw against Watford. His pace will be helpful against a stoic Arsenal defence.

Prediction

The most likely outcome would be a 2-0 victory for Arsenal over Southampton. Arsenal were good against Watford, and they will be looking to continue that momentum.

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