Walcott and Welbeck required to pick up a vital win at St Mary's

Match Preview: Southampton vs. Arsenal – Premier League – 10.05.2017

The top four: celebrated by some, derided by others. Aside from a date with Chelsea at Wembley for the FA Cup Final, this target remains the only one possible for The Arsenal this season, something our poor form a few short weeks ago rendered unrealistic.

After switching the formation and seemingly the tactics in recent games Arsène Wenger's men have embarked on a upward curve of form since winning their FA Cup semi against Manchester City. Despite wins over Middlesbrough, Leicester and Jose Mourinho's much changed Manchester it is memories of the North London Derby defeat that stick in the throat of most diehard Gooners. The fear of suffering a defeat at a ground like St Mary's hangs heavy over The Emirates.

Heading in to this game in hand against Southampton I do understand those who think back to the 4-0 defeat at Christmas 18 months ago and roll their eyes, however I choose to point to the 0-5 demolition job back in late January of this year. Of course it was a rotated Saints side and in a Cup competition but nevertheless I think back to how devastating the attacking was that night and how well the pace of Walcott and Welbeck helped undo Puel's men time and again. We need to see this again in this fixture.   

Looking at Southampton we appear to be playing them at a good time, with the Manager under pressure from the home crowd to entertain and play a more expansive brand of football. I don't feel we will see a performance like Saints conjured up to draw a point out of Liverpool at Anfield this past weekend. I see Southampton actually throwing off the chains a little in this fixture and going at Wenger's men, something that just might allow us to pick them off under the lights in what is essentially a must win game if the Champions League places are still a possibility.

As for The Arsenal, I can see Arsène Wenger changing a few things up for this fixture, given the number of games to play within the next 10 days. I would imagine we see Hector Bellerin come in to the side at right wing back, Francis Coquelin playing in the centre of midfield and Theo Walcott getting a now seemingly rare start, possibly up front depending on Welbeck's fitness levels. With a trip to Stoke City approaching at the weekend I can also see Granit Xhaka being rested for that game with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain reverting to a central role. In defence I don't foresee many changes to the back 3 dependant of course on Captain Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi's fitness.

Southampton are likely to be boosted by the return of centre forward Charlie Austin to their squad after a long injury layoff, young defender Matt Targett could also feature after a run out for the reserves recently. I expect Saints to field the likes of Boufal, Tadic and Ward-Prowse in an attacking formation, so a strong defensive performance is key for The Gunners if they want to take all 3 points.

In summary Arsenal now have 4 cup finals ahead of, well, a cup final! Four games in the Premier League remain which, if won, could just about open the door to Champions League qualification once again. A win at St Mary's would be a good start to a tough looking week of away fixtures! COYG!

FACTFILE

• Southampton could win three consecutive home league games against Arsenal for the first time in 32 years.
• Arsenal have not won a league fixture at St Mary's in five attempts since 2003 (L2, D3).
• Southampton have won just six of 35 Premier League meetings overall, losing 19.
• Saints are winless in four matches (D2, L2). A fifth match in a row without victory would be their worst run of the season.
• Southampton have only scored 11 goals in their last 12 Premier League home matches, failing to score in three of the last four.
• 10th-placed Southampton could finish in the top half of the table in four straight top-flight campaigns for the first time.
• A third goalless draw in a row would be a top-flight record for Southampton.
• Manolo Gabbiadini registered four goals in his first three appearances but has failed to score in the last five, managing just one shot on target.
• Arsenal have lost five of their last six away league games - as many defeats as they had suffered in the previous 27 - and have kept one clean sheet in 13 away fixtures.
• Wenger's team have taken three points from a possible 27 away to sides in the current top 11 of the Premier League.
• If the Gunners fail to make the top four it will be for the first time in Wenger's 20 seasons at the helm.
• Arsenal's tally of 63 points after 34 matches is the same as this stage of last season, when they finished second. They can reach no higher than third in this campaign.
• Wenger's first league championship came in France with Monaco in 1988 - a team which featured Claude Puel.
• Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has seven assists in the league this campaign - as many as he created in the previous five seasons.

INJURIES

Lucas Perez set to return to the squad after injury, Koscielny and Mustafi doubts. Granit Xhaka faces a late test after a knock against Manchester Utd at the weekend. Santi Cazorla remains Arsenal's main long term injury casualty.

STARTING XI

Cech, Koscielny, Holding, Monreal, Bellerin, Gibbs, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coquelin, Özil, Alexis, Walcott.

GOONERSPHERE'S PREDICTION

Southampton 1-3 Arsenal

http://twitter.com/afcfreddie8 

Don't forget to like us on Facebook, add us to your G+ circle and follow us on Twitter.