The international break is finally over and domestic football is back in action this weekend as all 20 Premier League clubs will fight for three points. London outfit Arsenal will welcome Claude Puel’s Southampton side to the Emirates this weekend in one of the many exciting games in store for the fans. Wenger’s side is fresh from a victory over Watford and will be ready to take on the Saints, who are yet to find a victory under the new manager. Both clubs have shown their shortcomings and strengths already this season making this contest and intriguing one.
Team News
Arsene Wenger managed to add the likes of Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez to his squad and this is the first game either player will be eligible to play in. Aaron Ramsey, Danny Welbeck, Per Mertesacker and Gabriel remain on the sidelines while Alex Iwobi is close to making a comeback and his place in the side will be decided just before the game. Here is the strongest line-up Arsenal can field against the Saints on Saturday.
Goal Keeper
Petr Cech
The first choice shot-stopper for the club, Cech, did not have the greatest start to the new campaign but will keep his place in between the sticks for this clash at the Emirates.
Defence
Hector Bellerin
Arguably one of the best right-backs in the Premier League, Bellerin, will have a decent role to play on the night against a Southampton side who will try to attack right from the start.
Laurent Koscielny
The sense of calm that every team needs at the back, Koscielny, will play an important role at the heart of the defence for Arsenal against the Saints on Saturday.
Shkodran Mustafi
Making his debut in the Premier League, Mustafi, after his multimillion-dollar move to the Emirates, will displace Rob Holding at the back for his first game for Arsenal.
Nacho Monreal
An experienced presence at the back, Monreal, is one of the many players in the Arsenal squad who have been at the club for some time now and will have to stick to his task if Arsenal are to take all three points from this game.
Midfield
Santi Cazorla
Having got himself a goal in the previous game, Cazorla will be up and raring to go for this clash at the Emirates, and he will have to be at his best and dictate the midfield if Arsenal are to take anything from this game.
Granit Xhaka
The Swiss international was sent off halfway through the game on international duty and will be fit for this clash against the Saints as he will have to adjust to the league quickly and make an impact on the midfield.
Theo Walcott
The English international was influential in Arsenal’s 3-1 victory at the Vicarage Road last week and will be hoping to have a similar impact on the game this weekend.
Mesut Ozil
The German international, who got himself a goal in the game against Watford, will be one of the most important players for the side and his form in the game can decide which side takes maximum points from this game.
Alexis Sanchez
Having played in a striker’s role in the previous game, Sanchez, who also found the back of the net at the Vicarage Road, will be back into his winger’s role on the left side and will hope to influence the game at the Emirates.
Attack
Lucas Perez
Though he has not yet played a minute of football in the Premier League, a home game against a weaker opponent is the right time to give Perez a chance in front of goal and he might start the game ahead of Olivier Giroud on the night.
