Arsenal were dealt their second loss of the season against Manchester United prior to the international break. Despite this, they are still top of the league with 25 points. Southampton has had an excellent start as well going 6-4-1 while allowing a league low five goals. The interesting bit about this match is that Southampton could go top of the table if they win, depending on the score at least. At the moment Southampton have 22 points and a +10 goal difference compared to Arsenal’s +12 goal difference.
Few would have predicted at the start of the season that this match would have been pitted first against third after 11 matches, but that it does. While Southampton would be more than happy with a point here, they do have the chance to overtake their opponents with a win, and even the chance of going top if Liverpool fail to win at Everton.
What to expect from the Match
In their last six meetings Arsenal holds the edge with three wins and three draws. Their two meetings in the Premier League last season resulted in an Arsenal 6-1 home win and a 1-1 draw at Southampton. This does give the Saints some amount of hope considering the 1-1 draw came in the second half of the season. The match itself should be a good one, with both teams preferring to play a possession based pass and move game.
Arsenal could have Theo Walcott back for this game after he returned to full training, but in all likelihood he will only feature from the bench. Mathieu Flamini is fit to play and he could start alongside Aaron Ramsey in midfield, who himself missed a game for Wales with a hamstring injury. However, after an unimpressive performance at Old Trafford, Flamini may have to settle for a place on the bench with Arteta starting in the middle.
Guly Do Prado is Southampton’s only injury worry ahead of the trip to the Emirates. It could be the same eleven that thrashed Hull last time out, but Pablo Osvaldo will be hoping for a recall. If he does come back in it will likely be James Ward-Prowse who drops out.
Predicted Starting line ups
Predictions
Arsenal will be huge favorites though, and should be expected to return to winning ways after slipping up at Old Trafford last week. It won’t be quite as easy as the 6-1 last season might have you expect, but Arsenal should be able to break down a resolute Saints team.
Arsenal 2-0 Southampton