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PREVIEW: Southampton v Arsenal, Team News, Line-Up & Prediction

By on December 31, 2014

Arsenal will kick off 2015 with a tricky trip to St Mary’s to take on Southampton on Thursday afternoon.

It’s been a gruelling couple of games as the players have had to dig deep to beat QPR and West Ham but another resolute display is going to be needed in this match.

Southampton are a very good side and showed that with a well deserved 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday, so we’re going to have to be at our best to come away with the three points.

If we can make it three wins on the spin then we’ll climb above the Saints into fourth and be breathing down Man Utd’s neck in third, so fingers crossed we can maintain the momentum we’ve build in recent weeks.

Team News

Unfortunately Danny Welbeck is a doubt after picking up a thigh injury at Upton Park while Olivier Giroud is still suspended.

Aaron Ramsey is not yet fit to return from a hamstring strain so he joins Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta on the sidelines.

Mesut Ozil supposedly returned to full training today and is pencilled in to play against Stoke, but this game will obviously come too soon.

Tomas Rosciky will return after being rested against West Ham while Theo Walcott is pushing for some game-time.

As for Southampton, the good news is that Morgan Schneiderlin is ruled out after being sent off against Chelsea.

Preferred Line-up

We’ll be short of options up front if Welbeck fails to prove his fitness but I wouldn’t take a chance with the former United man. There’s no sense in aggravating the problem so if he’s not 100% fit, I’d start Sanchez through the middle and play Cazorla out on the left.

Francis Coquelin should keep his place alongside Flamini in midfield while I’d bring Gibbs back in after he was rested last time out:

Prediction

This is a very difficult game to predict. On their day, Southampton are a match for anyone this season, but we seem to be grinding out results. With Koscielny back in defence we’re far more solid and we always have the ability to score goals, so I’m going to back us to edge this one.

Southampton 1-2 Arsenal

Let’s hope for a Happy New Year, COYG!!!

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