Both Arsenal and Southampton will be looking to return to winning ways when they lock horns at the Emirates on Saturday evening in a crucial Premier League fixture with kickoff at 18:00.
Arsenal had done well recording a 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions following their woeful start to the season’s campaign, the run had them in the fifth spot with just a few points outside the top four. However, the Gunners’ rollercoaster campaign has been derailing in the recent weeks with the capital club claiming just one win their last four Premier League matches.
They are coming off back-to-back defeats to Manchester United 3-2 and Everton 2-1. In both matches the Gunners opened the scoring but eventually due to lack of concentration and devoid of real attacking quality saw them lose out in both occasions. The slump has seen Mikel Arteta’s side drop to the seventh spot in the standings with four points outside the top four.
Arteta’s will have now pressure on his shoulders again to deliver at home this weekend as his side needs a win to bounce back and they also need a win if there are to keep their hopes in a return to the top four. Arsenal, though, have been good at home this season as they have won seven of their last eight home games across all competitions including each of their last three in the Premier League. Therefore, they will be looking to build on that as they aim at keeping in touch with the top four.
Meanwhile Southampton have been inconsistent this season with the club recording three wins, seven draws and five defeats in their 15 matches to collect 16 points that have them occupying the 16th spot in standings with six points above the relegation zone.
The saints are coming off a heart-breaking 1-1 draw against Brighton last weekend as they threw away their lead in the 99th minute of the match. The visitors have now drawn two and lost two of their last four league matches and will desperate to come away with a win here.
However, the Saints have been struggling on the road in the Premier League suffering 14 defeats in their last 18 away league matches stretching back to last season. Not since 2004 has Southampton recorded such a woeful run where they lost 15 in a calendar year.
Arsenal vs Southampton head to head
Both sides have met in 47 occasions since 1993 with Arsenal claiming 25 victories while Southampton have claimed nine and there have been 13 draws.
- Southampton 1-3 Arsenal 26/01/21
- Southampton 1-0 Arsenal 23/01/21
- Arsenal 1-1 Southampton 16/12/20
- Southampton 0-2 Arsenal 25/06/20
- Arsenal 2-2 Southampton 23/11/19
Home
- Everton 2-1 Arsenal
- Man United 3-2 Arsenal
- Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
- Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal
- Arsenal 1-0 Watford
Away
- Southampton 1-1 Brighton
- Southampton 2-2 Leicester
- Liverpool 4-0 Southampton
- Norwich 2-1 Southampton
- Southampton 1-0 Aston Villa
Arsenal team news
Arsenal will be Sead Kolasinac due to injury while Bernd Leno and Smith Rowe are doubts.
Southampton team news
Southampton will be without Stuart Armstrong, Jan Bednarek and Fraser Forster due to injuries.
Prediction and odds
- Arsenal win
- Goals under 2.5
- Smith Rowe to score
