MX23RW : Tuesday, February 26 05:05:13

How Arsenal could line up against Southampton

Sports Mole looks at how Arsenal could line up for the visit of Southampton in the Premier League this weekend.

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday following a two-week break, with strugglers Southampton the visitors to the Emirates Stadium.

Since beating Huddersfield Town 2-1 in their most recent top-flight outing on February 9, the Gunners have twice been in Europa League action.

Following a shock 1-0 loss to BATE Borisov in the first leg of their last-32 tie, Unai Emery's men recovered with a 3-0 triumph in Thursday's return fixture.

Focus now turns back to the Premier League, and victory for Arsenal on Sunday may see them climb back into the top four.

Ahead of that match, Sports Mole looks at how the North London outfit could line up.


Possible ARSXI vs. SOT

Out: Hector Bellerin (knee), Rob Holding (knee), Danny Welbeck (knee)
Doubtful: Laurent Koscielny (muscle), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (illness)

> Click here for the latest Arsenal injury and suspension news

Koscielny is expected to join fellow defenders Holding and Bellerin on the sidelines after picking up an injury in the midweek victory over BATE, though it is more of a short-term problem than his previous layoff.

Emery is likely to welcome back Maitland-Niles from illness, which forced him out of the squad on Thursday, in place of Stephan Lichtsteiner at right-back.

Mesut Ozil was handed just a second start since Boxing Day last time out and he produced a mixed display, so Emery must decide whether to keep faith in the German playmaker or possibly restore the fresher Aaron Ramsey.

Having altered formations of late, with a 3-4-3 being used at Huddersfield a fortnight ago, this home match with another struggling side in Southampton may be a good chance to use four attacking players along the frontline, spearheaded by Alexandre Lacazette.

The French striker, who was suspended against BATE, has scored more winning goals (eight) than any other Premier League player this season, while strike partner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has had a hand in nine goals in his last six league games at the Emirates.

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Who will win Sunday's Premier League meeting between Arsenal and Southampton?

Arsenal
Draw
Southampton
Arsenal
82.9%
Draw
7.3%
Southampton
9.8%
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny in action during his side's Premier League clash with West Ham on January 12, 2019
Read Next:
Arsenal injury, suspension list vs. Southampton
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool27206159154466
2Manchester CityMan City27212474205465
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs27200755272860
4Arsenal27165655371853
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd27157552351752
6Chelsea26155645291650
7Watford2711793935440
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2711793534140
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham27106113540-536
10Bournemouth27104133848-1034
11Everton2796123639-333
12Leicester CityLeicester2795133238-632
13Crystal Palace2786133135-430
14Burnley2786133148-1730
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2777132434-1028
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2676132839-1127
17Cardiff CityCardiff2774162552-2725
18Southampton2759132846-1824
19Fulham2745182661-3517
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2725201450-3611

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