Arsenal vs Southampton preview, predictions & possible XIs
Arsenal will be looking to return to winning ways when they welcome Southampton this Saturday.
Unai Emery’s men are currently on a four-match winless streak in the Premier League which has seen them drift eight points below the Champions League places.
Their last outing, a 2-0 defeat at Leicester City, saw even more calls for Emery to be removed from office but chances of that happening anytime soon looks unlikely.
Southampton, meanwhile, are in a desperate position. The Saints go into this weekend’s outing having lost their last three league matches on the bounce, which included a 9-0 humbling at home against Leicester.
Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side are even on a longer winless streak than the Gunners (seven).
Read on for predictions, key players, TV info and team news as Arsenal and Southampton face off on Saturday in the Premier League.
When is Arsenal vs Southampton and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Date: Saturday, 23 November 2019
Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Arsenal vs Southampton
24 Feb 2019: Arsenal 2-0 Southampton (Premier League)
16 Dec 2018: Southampton 3-2 Arsenal (Premier League)
08 Apr 2018: Arsenal 3-2 Southampton (Premier League)
10 Dec 2017: Southampton 1-1 Arsenal (Premier League)
10 May 2017: Southampton 0-2 Arsenal (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Arsenal (WLWDW) 10-6 Southampton (LWLDL)
Ones to watch
Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
In what has been a trying campaign so far you cannot accuse Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of not giving his all. The 30-year-old Gabonese marksman is Arsenal’s leading scorer and, without those goals, they’d be in even more trouble. He’s scored in three of the Gunners last five home league games and there’s every chance he’ll be on the scoresheet this weekend.
Key stat: Aubameyang has scored half of Arsenal’s league goals (8/16) this season.
Southampton: James Ward-Prowse
For all their struggles of late, Southampton still possess that fighting spirit that could ultimately see their season turn around. At the heart is homegrown star James Ward-Prowse, who has been popping up with goals of late. If anyone is going to lit the spark to get their recovery rolling, it’s him.
Key stat: Ward-Prowse has created 17 chances in the Premier League this season, more than any Southampton player.
Team news
Arsenal
Dani Ceballos is a doubt this weekend after recently sustaining a thigh injury. He’s the only player that could be unavailable for Unai Emery who could field Mesut Ozil for a third consecutive Premier League game. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette should once again lead the line.
Predicted XI: Leno; Chambers, Luiz, Holding; Bellerin, Torreira, Guendouzi, Kolasinac; Ozil; Lacazette, Aubameyang.
Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.
Southampton
Michael Obafemi is the only fitness concern for Ralph Hasenhüttl who should field a familiar lineup at the Emirates.
Predicted XI: McCarthy; Cedric, Bednarek, Stephens, Vestergaard, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Højbjerg; Ings, Redmond.
Squawka prediction
Despite failing to win in each of their last two home league outings Arsenal should prove too much for Southampton – but we can’t see Unai Emery’s side keeping a second Emirates clean sheet of the season.
Scoreline prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
