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It had been a while since I attended a night match at the Emirates and here I am about to attend my second in two weeks. There’s something special about a stadium lit up by floodlights with cold air teeming in over the top of the stadium as it frames a clear dark night sky.
The games are coming thick and fast now which could go either way really. For Arsenal, it’s an opportunity to string together some wins and after two wins on the trot this is a great time to play Southampton. They lost to Man City at the weekend and we must always be wary of wounded lions but Arsenal need to pick up wins against teams above them which is something they’ve yet to do this season.
Southampton have been sensational this season because let’s be honest, after losing their manager and half their team who would have given them a shot at mid-table let alone being in the top 3 in December. They bought shrewdly and their manager has them playing well.
Chambers might have to play a more advanced role
Defensively Arsenal are improving and are looking more patient in attack which has been helping their last few games as main man, Alexis Sanchez, has been a little off colour but I think he’ll be back to form against Southampton.
We have injury problems which could cause a selection headache for Wenger as we may need to call on Flamini in defence and our midfield picks itself at the moment with 4 players out. If worst comes to worst we could see a start for Bellerin at right-back with Chambers pushed into midfield for his first game in the defensive midfield role he was touted as being bought for.
It would be an interesting match if Chambers did play that role as he has shown recently that he has good feet and an eye for a pass so he certainly has the attributes to play there and with Southampton having players with physical presence in the middle of the park we could do with his height and strength.
Schneiderlin will be missing for Southampton and the difference in Southampton with him and without him was felt against City must in the way Arsenal felt the loss of Arteta against Anderlecht. Arsenal have to take advantage of this situation and keep the momentum going.
Arsenal from; Martinez, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Chambers, Bellerin, Flamini, Rosicky, Chamberlain, Ramsey, Alexis, Cazorla, Podolski, Sanogo, Welbeck, Campbell, Giroud
MATCH QUOTE
“I owe a lot to Southampton. They made me the player and the person I am today. We had a good age group coming through and we got educated really well in their fantastic academy.” – Calum Chambers
LAST 3 MEETINGS
- Arsenal 1-2 Southampton (23.09.2014)
- Southampton 2-2 Arsenal (28.01.2014)
- Arsenal 2-0 Southampton (23.11.2013)
FORM GUIDE
Arsenal Last 5WWLLD
Southampton Last 5LDWWW
OPPOSITION WATCH
Southampton have been in incredible form this season including that humongous 8-0 win over Sunderland but their last two results haven’t been positive and their are murmurs that their early good fortune is beginning to even out. I’m not so sure they are a flash in the pan and I think they’ll be finishing in the European spots this season but how high I cannot say.
Defensively they have been one of the best in Europe and their attack has been highly effective. Losing 3-0 to Man City suggests they can’t handle the top teams and Arsenal will have to hope that is the case…
FACTFILE
- Arsenal are yet to beat a team above them in the league this season
- Arsenal haven’t lost at home to Southampton in the Premier League
- Southampton haven’t beaten Arsenal in the league since 2002
- Arsenal have beaten Southampton by 4 goals or more on 4 occasions including two 6-1 wins
- In 85 games Arsenal have kept 32 clean sheets
- Arsenal’s favourite scoreline in this match is a 1-0 win with 13 of them in 85 matches
PREDICTION
If Arsenal play the same as they did against Dortmund and West Brom they should win. Welbeck and Giroud worked well against West Brom as Welbeck was given the freedom to roam but he may not get that opportunity against Southampton with a marauding fullback like Clyne. Cazorla has been coming back to form and was superb at the weekend. I fancy him to be pulling the strings to orchestrate a 3-1 to Arsenal with goals from Giroud, Alexis and Cazorla.
