Arsenal vs Southampton preview - it's all about resolve

The Emirates Stadium

Match- Arsenal vs Southampton

Venue- The Emirates Stadium

Date- September15, 2012

Kick- Off- 19:25 IST

Referee- Kevin Friend (Matches: 2, 1 red, 7 yellows)

Okay, it’s over. Yes, another instantly forgettable international break is behind us meaning we can finally focus on the real deal, the ONLY football with real consequence, club football. Just to put things in perspective and with due respect to FIFA and their outlandish (yes, I know the football calender is pretty congested, but still) scheduling of international matches, the prospect of watching world- class players from top countries fight it out, for their national pride at a grand stage really stimulates me. World Cup qualifiers? Well, not so much. The managers of various top-flight clubs would have their worn-out, bruised, battered and jet-lagged players at their disposal as they brace themselves for another weekend of top-flight football, another attempt at grinding out a three-pointer. As suggested by the title, the focal point of this piece will be the game at Ashburton Grove.

Arsenal-

Unfortunately or otherwise, Arsenal didn’t have an enthusing end to this year’s transfer window. Expecting a flurry of signings to replicate the summer of 2011, after being linked to a host of players, the supporters felt a mixture of discontentment and incredulity when the clock struck 12:00 on the night of August 31, 2012 as Arsene Wenger opted for a hushed end to the transfer window. The arrival of a holding midfielder as well as a striker (after being unable to score in the first two games) seemed imminent to compensate for the departures of you know who. After seemingly “good news” on the Jack Wilshere injury situation with Abou Diaby getting a full pre-season and the confirmation of the staying of attacking players like Marouane Chamakh and Theo Walcott (our nemesis, the contract situation strikes again), Wenger apparently, has instilled his faith in the new summer signings, Podolski and Giroud to replicate you know who’s goals from last season.

Wenger’s belief appeared to come good a fortnight ago against Liverpool as the team broke their duck and finally gave him a reason to smile by producing a fabulous performance of defensive solidity and counter- attacking play. Wenger’s team, although outplayed, couldn’t be outclassed. With two of the three summer acquisitions, Podolski and Cazorla both opening their accounts for their new club, all eyes would be on Olivier Giroud to finally grab his first goal and give his detractors something to be content with after he admitted to ‘freezing up’in front of goal.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 02: Lukas Podolski of Arsenal celebrates after victory over Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on September 2, 2012 in Liverpool, England.

Team News-

Apart from the obvious knocks and bruises, majority of the Arsenal players returned home safe and sound from their respective international duties with only Abou Diaby(MOTM against Liverpool) being a doubt(brace yourselves) for the game after being rested for France’s midweek qualifier against Belarus with a muscular problem. With trips to Montpellier in the Champions League on Tuesday and Manchester City next weekend awaiting, leaving Diaby out won’t be the worst decision ever. Arsene:

“He will have a test on Friday morning and we will go from there. At the moment he is 50:50. It is a small muscular problem that is very minor.”

Wojciech Szczesny seems to have fully recovered from a rib injury and should start in front of a very resilient Vito Mannone. Theo Walcott, after being sent home from the national team duty with a virus will have a late fitness test.

Expected Line- up (Possible 4-2-1-3)-

With Diaby apparently being rested, it should open the door for Ramsey to slot in the midfield along with Arteta. Although, Coquelin does offer an option too, Ramsey’s experience should be enough for Ramsey to be in the team sheet. Oxlade- Chamberlain and Podolski, after effectively putting in a defensive shift at Anfield should automatically retain their spots in the team. Jenkinson and Gibbs after keeping the Liverpool strikers at bay, should also be able to fend off competition.

Man to watch out for-

Santi Carzola, after his goal and assist against Liverpool. He would be the midfield power- house.

Southampton-

Life in top-flight English football is tough. It’s tougher when you’ve just been promoted and bets are already being placed on you being among the first ones to face the drop, come the end of the season. It can be absolutely atrocious when three of your first four oppositions are the two giants from Manchester and one from the north part of London (you thought Tottenham, didn’t you?). The Saints make the trip to London in search of their first points for the season after being ill-fated in not grabbing anything from their last two games. The last match, being a heart-breaking defeat at the hands of a Robin van Persie hat trick despite being ahead twice in the game. Saints manager Nigel Adkins admitted to being deflated post their defeat at St. Mary’s:

“Football’s not about talking about it, it’s about applying it. At the end of the day, we conceded two mistakes near the penalty box which lost us the game.”

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 02: Rickie Lambert of Southampton scores a goal despite the challenge of Rafael of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester United at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, England

Team News-

After stealing him from under the noses of Liverpool, the Saints would look to give Gaston Ramirez, their new acquisition from Bologna, a debut. Maya Yoshida would look to feature as a debutant while Zambian Emmanuel Mayuka would also be pushing for a starting berth after coming on as a substitute against United. Guly do Prado would be dropped after admitting to drunk-driving while Danny Fox and Jack Cork should feature after recovering from groin and ankle problems respectively.

Expected Line- up (Possible 4-5-1)-

Southampton would look to press the ball more than they did against United and hit Arsenal on the counter. A workmanlike effort would be required, perseverance could be crucial. Ricky Lambert, the unsung hero against United could find it hard against the aerial advantage of Per Mertesacker. Gaston Ramirez would look to put a good first impression on the wings with Lallana providing the midfield prowess.

Man to watch out for-

Ricky Lambert, after his goal against United and almost a MOTM performance, he’d provide the aerial threat.

Prediction-

A 2-1 win for Arsenal with Southampton taking the game to Arsenal, pressing and hitting them on the counter. Any hesitation in midfield by the saints would be punished. Giroud and Podolski to score one goal each.

Some bold predictions-

1. The first time viewers (especially in India) to be surprised by the word ‘Soton’ on their respective television screens and checking to confirm if the team is really Southampton F.C.

2. After appearing as a pretty solid unit defensively, Arsenal to concede a ridiculous defensive error, enabling Steve Bould to grab his imaginary hair in frustration and a water bottle to get a boot from Arsene Wenger.

Stat attack-

Arsenal haven’t started a season with three consecutive clean-sheets in 88 years.