Arsenal will be looking to ease the pressure off under-fire manager Mikel Arteta this midweek out of form. The side will welcome Southampton at the Emirates. The match schedules for Wednesday with kickoff at 9 pm.
The Gunners head into their 13th match, sitting 15th in the table, with only five relegation points. On the other hand, Southampton climbed into the top four following a comfortable victory over Sheffield.
In what has proved to be an unpredictable season for the big clubs, the two teams describe best the narrative of big clubs underperforming and underdogs punching above their weight. The future of a top-four finish is more oblique for the fans following four home defeats.
The side managed to accrue only 11 points, and 11 places separate the two sides in the Premier League table. In the same stage last season, Arsenal sat sixth while Southampton struggled in 19th position.
Mikel Arteta seems to have lost it in the dressing room with reports of a falling out with David Luiz, Sokratis, and Ozil. Reports of how the manager chooses to handle leaks inside the team seem to rub off the team the wrong way.
On the other hand, Southampton is currently flying high in their top-four place after putting a shaming record for Sheffield last weekend. Ralph Hassenhult will be looking to make the most from the current struggles at Emirates.
Arsenal vs. Southampton Head to Head
Both sides have 19 games against each other, with Arsenal takes home nine wins while Southampton has five wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
Arsenal 1-0 Burnley
Tottenham 2-0 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-1 Rapid Wein
Arsenal 1-2 Wolves
Molde FK 0-3 Arsenal
Away
Southampton 3-0 Sheffield United
Brighton 1-2 Southampton
Southampton 2-3 Manchester United
Wolves 1-1 Southampton
Southampton 2-0 Newcastle
Arsenal Team News
Thomas Partey looks set to remain unavailable till the start of the New Year, while Granit Xhaka sets to start his three-match ban. A major boost for the side is the return of Nicolas Pepe from a red card after violent conduct against Alioski.
Southampton Team News
Che Adams has been in form with four goals in 12 games this season and looks set to lead the attacking line alongside Danny Ings. Ings already has three goals against the Gunners. Arsenal is yet to concede from a set-piece, but Ward Prowse could change that with a freekick.
Prediction and Odds
It is no doubt that Arsenal is currently in shambles, and this match comes too soon for them to sort their issues.
Southampton Win
Goals Under 2.5
Home: No Score
