Arsenal vs Southampton: Match preview, betting tips and predictions.

Gabriel Maghaeles of Arsenal blocking of Ashley Westwood of Burnley in Arsenal's 0-1 defeat to the Clarets. (Photo credit: Premierleague...

Gabriel Maghaeles of Arsenal blocking of Ashley Westwood of Burnley in Arsenal's 0-1 defeat to the Clarets. (Photo credit: Premierleague.com)

Arsenal vs Southampton
Emirates Stadium
7:00pm

 

For the 2000 fans that made it to the Emirates Stadium last Sunday to see Arsenal lose to Burnley, they won’t be bothered about the news that there won’t be a place for fans subsequently after COVID-19 spikes in the capital.

 

Burnley beat Arsenal away from home for the first time since 1959, that came after Wolves achieved their first against Arsenal and sometime in the course of the season, Leicester did the same, and without walking miles or breaking sweat, Arsenal looks set to hand Southampton a piece of history as well.

 

The Saints are high flying, they beat Sheffield without even needing to operate on a second gear with Theo Walcott running riot down the flanks and Che Adams and Danny Ings running behind defenders, the former Arsenal forward will now hope to take his form to his ex-employers.

 

Arsenal lost to Burnley, wouldn’t have been a big news if Granit Xhaka didn’t decide to lose his cool and grab Westwood by the throat in the age of VAR and was given his marching orders, this brings to mind Nicolas Pepe’s similar showing at Elland Road against Leeds United.

 

Mikel Arteta’s reigns is being characterized by indiscipline and poor game management, majority of the players seem not to care and fans can’t understand why Arteta has refused to try the kids that give their all in cup games instead of the supposed established senior players.

 

Ralph Hassenhuetl deserves all the plaudits he’s getting, he has turned the Saints into a dreaded side, no real star players, just a bunch of amazing lads that won’t stop running; their defense helps attack and the other way round as well, helping them to fourth on the table.

 

Of the last five between the two, Arsenal won three, Saint’s only win was in 3-2 success exactly two years to the day of this fixture at St. Mary’s and you won’t put it past them to re-enact that but can Arsenal actually score?

 

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang found the back of the wrong net against Burnley, Arsenal continues to struggle in front of goal and will have to stay focused for the entirety of the game if they want to stop Southampton from scoring.

 

Gabriel Meghaeles remains the leader at Arsenal, the 22 year old keeps performing despite how horrible his teammates are, he will again look to continue doing his bits while fans would expect Arsenal to dash into the window when it opens in January.

 

James Ward Prowse will also look to continue his form from dead balls, how a very poorly disciplined side like Arsenal tries to stop him will be seen in Wednesday’s opening fixture.

 

Verdict: Southampton to win or draw.