Arsenal return to domestic action this weekend with a Premier League match against Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The Gunners, fresh from a solid result in the Europa League, face up against a Southampton side who are craving a win to ignite their Premier League survival push.
Arsenal
© OffsideArsenal's defeat of CSKA Moscow on Thursday showed signs of why the Gunners will have been aiming for a top-four spot in the league this term.
Two goals from Aaron Ramsey and a further double from Alexandre Lacazette put Arsene Wenger's side in a strong position to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
It hasn't happened for the North London side in the Premier League this season, with the club currently 13 points away from the Champions League places, but Wenger will be proud of how his side have responded to losing to Brighton & Hove Albion at the start of March.
Since that game, which also followed two damaging defeats to Manchester City in the space of a week, Arsenal have won five games in a row in all competitions. Their latest run has seen them claim two league wins and defeat AC Milan in both legs of their Europa League last-16 tie, netting 15 goals in the process.
The more exciting aspect of their run, perhaps, is that they have progressed through the Europa League without the cup-tied Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has instead contributed two goals in the Gunners' last two league wins.
It was perhaps a worry for Arsenal that they would not have Aubameyang to steer them deep into European competition, but after a slow start, the Gabon international has found a way to settle in well with his teammates.
Also key for Arsenal is Ramsey's form. Wenger highlighted the Welshman's progress after Thursday's match, saying that the midfielder is "calmer" and a "much better finisher" than he was four years ago.
This weekend's game is an opportunity for Arsenal to register a third straight Premier League win for only the second time this season, while they can also keep things ticking over ahead of the team's trip to Moscow next week.
Recent Premier League form: WWLLLW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWL
Southampton
© OffsideSouthampton, meanwhile, are in a dangerous position in the Premier League. The Saints sit inside the relegation zone, but are just two points adrift of safety.
Like Arsenal, Southampton are still fighting on two fronts. Mark Hughes's side have an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to later this month, but their focus for now will surely be on surviving in the Premier League.
Southampton are without a victory in the league since the start of February, when the club defeated relegation-bound West Bromwich Albion 3-2.
Since that game, the Saints have only scored one goal in the league, with their only other strikes coming in the FA Cup. More worryingly, though, the team have conceded nine goals in their last five league outings.
Their last two defeats have both come by a 3-0 margin, to West Ham United and Newcastle United respectively, in a run that must stop if Hughes is to help his team survive.
It must be said, however, that in the Saints' current form, even if the team do score, they could struggle to hold onto a lead with the team littering goals.
This weekend's game against Arsenal is followed by league clashes with Chelsea and Manchester City, in a final set of fixtures which will test Southampton's staying power in the top-flight this season.
Midfielder Dusan Tadic has admitted that he is "ashamed" of his side's form - now would be the time to begin turning things around at the club.
Recent form: LLDDLW
Recent form (all competitions): LWLDDW
Team News
© OffsideArsenal will be without Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who picked up a knee injury in Thursday's win. It will be a big blow for the Armenian international, who has formed a fruitful partnership with Aubameyang in the team.
The Gunners will also be without goalkeeper David Ospina, who will be out for up to three weeks with an ankle problem. The injury means that Petr Cech, who started in midweek, is expected to start again this weekend.
Aubameyang will also be selected by Wenger after being unavailable in midweek, while Danny Welbeck could partner him in the team after coming on as a substitute in his latest match.
Southampton are clear of any injury worries, with Charlie Austin looking to start his second successive game after a long spell out. Austin is the Saints' top scorer with six Premier League goals to his name - his last goal came in a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town in December.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Chambers, Monreal; Elneny, Ramsey; Ozil, Wilshere, Welbeck; Aubameyang
Southampton possible starting lineup:
McCarthy; Cedric, Stephens, Hoedt, Bertrand; Hojbjerg, Lemina, Tadic, Redmond; Austin, Gabbiadini
Head To Head
The last time these two sides met was in December, when Austin opened the scoring in the third minute. Olivier Giroud rescued a point for the Gunners, however, striking minutes from time at St Mary's Stadium.
Overall, these sides have met 94 times in their history, with Arsenal winning 28 more matches than their opponents, who have won 20. Additionally, Wenger's side are unbeaten in 22 home matches against Southampton - the last defeat as hosts came in 1987.
Southampton have not beaten Arsenal in three matches, with their most recent victory coming in the EFL Cup in 2016. The last time the Saints defeated their opponents in the league was on Boxing Day the year before, when they stunned the Gunners with a 4-0 thrashing on the south coast.
Southampton's longest unbeaten run began against Arsenal with a draw in December 1982, which was followed by two wins and two further stalemates in a five-match run without loss.
We say: Arsenal 2-0 Southampton
Arsenal will undoubtedly have one eye on their Europa League second leg next week, but we think that they won't be too distracted from their important game this weekend. Wenger's side should record a solid win over struggling opponents.
