Arsenal vs Southampton - Team News, Match Preview & Likely Line-Ups

Date: Saturday, November 23 Venue: Emirates Stadium Kick-Off: 15:00 Arsenal forward Theo Walcott could return to face former club Southampton this weekend after a two-month lay-off.

Team News

Arsenal will welcome Theo Walcott back into the side on Saturday, though the forward may have to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench. The England international hasn't played since September after sustaining a stomach injury. Meanwhile, the Gunners have concerns over Jack Wilshere, who picked up another ankle injury while on international duty for the Three Lions and is a doubt. Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has no fresh injury concerns, though will continue to be without long-term absentees Jack Cork (ankle) and Guly Do Prado (knee). (ibtimes)

Key Stats

Arsenal have not lost a home league game against Southampton since November 1987, winning 13 and drawing five of their 18 matches since. Southampton have conceded just eight goals in their last 14 Premier League games and have never conceded more than once in a match during this run. The Gunners have not failed to score in two successive Premier League games since August 2012. Southampton have faced fewer shots on target than any other side in the Premier League this season (31). (eurosport)

Likely Line-Ups

Arsenal Szczesny, Gibbs, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Sagna, Ramsey, Arteta, Cazorla, Ozil, Rosicky, Giroud Southampton Boruc, Clyne, Lovren, Fonte, Shaw, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Rodriguez, Lallana, Ward-Prowse, Lambert

Match Preview

Two of the Premier League's surprise packages come head to head when Arsenal play host to Southampton on Saturday afternoon. After suffering defeat to Aston Villa on the opening day of the season, few would have expected the Gunners to put together a run of form that, until recently, saw them go undefeated for nine matches. During that time, Arsene Wenger's side charged toward top place in the table - a position they still occupy - though they face another stiff test of their credentials to stay there against the Saints. Mauricio Pochettino's side have also been playing some lovely football, forging an undefeated run (eight games) of their own and keeping the topflight's best defensive record (just five conceded) in the process. That form has seen them take third place in the league, above the likes of Chelsea and both Manchester clubs. So here we are, talking about a first vs third clash that involves two sides hardly anyone expected would be there at this stage of the season - who says the Premier League is predictable? As good as Southampton have been of late, I think Arsenal will have too much for their opponents, and, still hurting from the defeat to United, will be going all out to reassert their dominance at the top of the table. 1-0
Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.