Arsene Wenger’s first win over Jose Mourinho has set the stage for an exciting finale. Arsenal defeated Manchester United 2-0 in the last match to stay in the hunt for a top four race. They will now visit the St Mary’s stadium to reduce the deficit with United and a win against Southampton will reignite their Premier League campaign.
With Liverpool also dropping points, the pressure seems to have eased a little but they cannot afford to be complacent. Three points against the Saints would give them a chance to break into the top five leapfrogging United. But Arsenal have the history of struggling at crunch situations which could go against their favour. They had some few nervy moments at the South Coast in the last few seasons but their win against the Red Devils has definitely given them a huge uplift and they should use this against the Saints. Claude Puel’s side are currently cornered in the mid-table and should seize this opportunity to avenge their defeat in the FA Cup where the Gunners ran riot rampaging a hapless Southampton.
Team News And Predicted Lineups
Arsenal
Granit Xhaka is a serious doubt after he injured his knee again in a 2–0 win over United. He is facing a battle to get fit in time and if he doesn’t make it either Mohamed Elneny or Francis Coquelin will get a chance. Shkodran Mustafi might return to the squad but is very unlikely that Wenger will break his winning combination to slot him in.
Cech; Holding, Koscielny, Monreal; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coquelin, Ramsey, Gibbs; Ozil, Welbeck, Sanchez
Southampton
Southampton have no new injury concerns and Puel might field the same starting lineup that earned a commendable goalless draw against Liverpool in the last match.
Forster; Soares, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand; Romeu, Davis, Ward-Prowse; Tadic, Gabbiadini, Boufal
Key Players
Arsenal
Alexis Sanchez
Much was expected from him in the last match but he was shadowed for most of the time by debutant Axel Tuanzebe in the last match. Sanchez has been in excellent form throughout this season but that hasn’t been reflected in the last few matches. There are concerns over his future but if the Gunners are to give the top four finish a chase Sanchez needs to take his chances.
Southampton
Manolo Gabbiadini
The Saints have not been on a goal-scoring spree but they have had some very good matches where they have just floored the opponents. Gabbiadini’s arrival has worked wonders for him as the Italian has ended their goal drought to some extent. He has not scored in the last few matches but could be handy against the Gunners defence.
