Arsenal v Southampton: Preview, team news, kick-off time, possible line-ups, and prediction of Premier League clash

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As Arsenal head into this weekend’s Premier League fixture against Southampton, the Gunners find themselves in strong form.

Level on points with Manchester City and just a point behind Liverpool, Mikel Arteta’s team are pushing hard to land a silverware this season.

Preview of Arsenal-Southampton Premier League game

Last weekend, Arsenal showed grit in their comeback win against a Wilfred Ndidi-inspired Leicester after blowing a two-goal lead. They followed that up with a clinical 2-0 victory over French ‘big boys’ Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Momentum is clearly on Arsenal’s side, and it feels like Arteta’s project is hitting full stride. Arsenal fans have every reason to believe their time for domestic and continental success may have finally arrived.

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On the other hand, Southampton’s campaign has been nothing short of disastrous. Without a win in their last 19 Premier League games, they are teetering on the edge of an unwanted record.

If Arsenal secure a victory at the Emirates on Saturday, it will equal Southampton’s longest-ever winless run in the top flight, set in 1969. Cameron Archer’s penalty miss against Manchester United, have only added to the Saints’ misery this season.

That miss was crucial, as the Red Devils went on to win 3-0, further compounding Southampton’s troubles. It’s no surprise they have managed just one point from their opening six league games.

Team news

Arsenal could be without Dutch defender Jurrien Timber, who was substituted at halftime against PSG due to a muscle injury. However, Mikel Merino might make his first Premier League appearance, while Ben White remains sidelined with a knee problem.

Captain Martin Ødegaard and Kieran Tierney remain long-term absentees.

Southampton will be without captain and inspirational leader Jack Stephens, who was sent off against United. His extended ban means the Saints are without him for another two matches.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale returns to the Emirates. The English shot-stopper made 89 appearances for the north London club before he was displaced by David Raya.

Historically, Soton have struggled at Arsenal, not having won there since November 1987. In fact, no Premier League side has a worse away record against another than Southampton’s against Arsenal.

With Southampton desperate for points, it’s difficult to imagine them getting a result here. Meanwhile, Arsenal are keen to build on their impressive league form and are favourites to cart away all three points.

Premier League form guide for Arsenal & Southampton:

• Arsenal: 4-2-0, 14 points (3rd) | Last five: W-D-W-D-W

• Southampton: 0-1-5, 1 point (19th) | Last five: L-D-L-L-L.

Possible starting line-ups:

• Arsenal: Raya; Calafiori, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Partey, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.

• Southampton: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Taylor; Sugawara, Fernandes, Downes, Aribo, Walker-Peters; Archer, Brereton Diaz.

Kick-off time:

The Arsenal-Southampton Premier League match kicks off at 15:00 GMT+1/WAT on Saturday, 5 October, 2024.

Other matchday 7 Premier League fixtures (2024/25 season):

Saturday

12:30 Crystal Palace – Liverpool
15:00 Brentford – Wolves
15:00 Leicester – Bournemouth
15:00 Manchester City – Fulham
15:00 West Ham – Ipswich
17:30 Everton – Newcastle.

Sunday

14:00 Aston Villa – Manchester Utd
14:00 Chelsea – Nottingham
16:30 Brighton – Tottenham.

Match prediction:

Arsenal 3-0 Southampton.

Tags: Southampton, Arsenal, Premier League, EPL, Preview, Prediction, Team news, line-ups, #COYG, Saints, Timber, #ARSSOU, #NewsRoundTheClock, #nrtcnewsnigeria, #nrtcnews, #nrtcnigeria, #nrtcsports.