Arsenal take on Southampton in the Premier League this evening, our second visit to St Mary’s in a matter of days, and Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side can produce more than they did in the cup clash.
Here are the official line-ups.
Southampton: McCarthy, Valery, Stephens, Bednarek, Vokins, Diallo, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong, Walcott, Ings, Adams
Subs: Forster, Ramsay, Jankewitz, Ferry, Watts, Chauke, Redmond, N’lundulu, Long
Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Cedric, Xhaka, Partey, Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Lacazette
Subs: Ryan, Gabriel, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Willock, Willian, Martinelli, Nketiah
Aside from Pepe over martinelli, this is the strongest lineup we can field right now. Let’s hope (again) that this is pepe’s turnaround match, I want the guy to succeed he seems to really be trying.
And shame about Tierney – but would rather not risk him, don’t want another partey situation. let’s hope Cedric has a great game, as we’ve recently learned he’s quite capable of it!
Hoping that Saka’s presence on the left and his left foot can balance Cedric’s limitations in this position.
There might come a point fairly soon where the Europa League becomes our most important competition, and with games against Benfica only a few weeks away, I’d most want Tierney available for those. So not rushing him back now might be a smart view toward those games.
Also shows Arteta learning after the disaster with Partey in the NLD. This game certainly doesn’t carry that weight, but it’s still important, yet I’d argue holding Tierney out is the right call.
In terms of fitness and match readiness, Pepe is over Martinelli at the moment.
So, for me, this is definitely our strongest line up tonight.
Might be alone but happy to se Pepe in a lineup with some 1-2’s in it. Really hope he makes the most out of it.
COYG!
Agreed. He hasn’t played well, but his options for combinations were limited to say the least and nothing was going to happen if he didn’t beat 3 guys and score. Combined well with ESR last time they played.
Totally agree. He is one worth persevering with but really needs to start taking his chances
So interesting that a few months ago we were all shouting for Edu/Mikel’s head bc Luiz was such a waster…now he’s first choice! How quickly fortunes change. Personally like the lineup, but would have Gabriel in there over Luiz.
Pepe means Saka goes to the left. Why would Arteta want to change a combination that is working fine
Yeah, because Saka’s never put in a good performance for us from the left before…
Maybe pepe will play on the left and saka on the right
BongoGooner rocks – What a prediction
To balance out Cedric’s right foot.
What a name! Better get there before Xhaka returns.
Because Saka + Cedric will work better than Pepe + Cedric.
He doesn’t want to risk Martinelli getting re-injured. Seems prudent, and this is the strongest lineup we can field otherwise.
I agree stick to the parts that work + Pepe I think time is up for him, it all moves to quick for how he want’s to play, definitley need to be put on one touch regime!
Big game for Pepe this. It’s all there for him, how much does he want it
Agree with this. Pepe has Saka, ESR and Laca surrounding him. He can really make a mark in this game.
3 points and 5 clean sheets in a row guys. COYG!!!
Remove Martinelli and there is really no bench.
So you’ve written off Gabriel our player of the month on 3 consecutive occasions.
No, I assumed there won’t be any reason to bring on a defender when firepower is needed.
Very unfortunate Tierney and Auba can’t be available. I’m not thrilled to see Luiz instead of Gabriel, but to be fair Gabriel did look very rusty on Saturday. Perhaps he’s not quite as recovered from Covid as we hoped.
But the real mystery to me is why Maitland-Niles isn’t starting at left back. Cedric was absolutely horrible on Saturday, offering nothing at all going forward. At least Maitland-Niles has a left foot! I’m afraid this choice is going to leave Saka without any support at all.
The only logical explanation is that AMN can be used as a substitute in most defensive and midfielder positions, and therefore is extremely useful given that our bench is not strong enough
Mikel is just not using AMN at all, especially not in midfield.
And I’m sure AMN Is gonna leave us
Well, I guess I have to eat my words. Soares was very good today.
Pity about Tierney. COYG!
Martinelli merited a start ahead of Pepe (I like them both).
Strangely without our 1st LB, our offensive game suffers – morden FBs!
We sort of sacrificed the cup game in a way by the rotation. Hope, we make this league game count and get the 3 points.
COYG
Expects big things from Martinelli – doesnt start him.
Wants Balogun to stay – doesn’t make the team.
Make it make sense
You know Martinelli still not fully recovered. Started last game and then subbed as precaution. Balgoun, we don’t know what is going on.
Maybe he’s managing Martinelli’s return and sending a message to Balogun – if you don’t sign then I can’t include you in my plans?
If Balogun doesn’t think he’s going to be given game time at Arsenal and other clubs are offering him more money and game time, sadly, why not. Although it’s terrible for us. Arteta has shown that he doesn’t tolerate dissent or disruptive behaviour from players and is stubborn. But having seen how good he is, I want to just say give him the f-ing money and game time. If it doesn’t work out, loan him out and sell for a profit. When you’re signing 32 year olds on mega contracts, surely you can take a punt on one of our… Read more »
I kind of agree but on the other hand, the player may already of said he is going elsewhere and that’s why he’s not getting any minutes?
Expects big things from Martinelli in the future, if he follows his current development path, and can stay fit. Since he’s just came back from injury, starting him from the bench may be the wise choice. Wants Balogun to stay, develop and fight for his place. Who would want to stay if they know they will not have the faith of the manager after a few bad games. Especially when you are young, developing and need to know you have the confidence of the manager. I assume you would want Balogun to be in the team ahead of Nketiah, but… Read more »
Frustrating to see Tierney out after they made sure to post all those pics of him training in the snow!
Would have like to have seen AMN get the nod over Cedric.
VERY surprised Pepe gets the nod over Martinelli.
Balogone I guess
It makes sense to play Saka on the left, considering we need a left footed player there to give width and to put in crosses.
And Pepe isn’t left-footed?
Hoping for the best.
Fearing the worst!!!
Huh. I did not think for a second that Cedric was an option on the left. Here’s hoping somebody has pointed out that the box is the same distance from the left as it is on the right.
I wonder what AMN has done wrong? 🤔
This team needs prayer at this point
Amen
Other results are not going the way I’d like them which makes me more negative about our prospects, especially with Tierney and Auba not playing!!! Still no news on a certain incoming transfer – was looking forward to it too!!!
Getting deja vu from Palace game! Hopefully I’m wrong
Come on Pepe, the stage is set lad.
This. He’s had chances before with the second string, but now he’s got a chance jn the best set up we can offer him so it’s sink or swim…
I know we don’t know the full story behind the ongoing Balogun saga…. But if we’re chasing the game who would make more of an impact from bench. Arteta has gone for Nketiah reason being what how many times has he scored or assisted when coming off the bench? He just played against them no element of Surprise Saints defence won’t be quaking in their boots. Compare that to what Balogun offers physicality and pace, two things defenders hate. Plus he has that element of surprise defenders don’t know him. I remember when Rashford came on the scene against us… Read more »
Seems Balogun gone?
GABI needs to start over Luiz
COYGooners! 💪
Lacazette won’t be the death of me !!! How did he miss that sitter ?!
I’d say his pass for Saka’s goal makes up for it! And since he’s playing more like a link forward these days, it’s good to see his through balls resulting in goals!
Kyle Walker-Peters
I for one love that Hasenhüttl is wearing gloves.
Another poor first half, will be fortunate to go in at half time level
Partey and Xhaka have been brilliant in the midfield int he first half. The less said about Luiz the better though…..
I suspect we will need another goal to make things safer and less nerve wracking
Bull!!! ESR injured (hope it ain’t bad) and we go down to 10 men with the bizarre introduction of will-i-aint