Arsenal Vs Southampton Team News And Predicted Lineups Ahead Of Premier League Clash At The Emirates

As former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale returns to the Emirates for the first time since leaving the club, here’s our Arsenal Vs Southampton predicted lineups for Saturday’s Premier League fixture.

Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing Gunners host winless Southampton on Saturday, with both sides craving victory for different reasons.

Arsenal need to make up ground on Liverpool, with the Reds one point above them and top of the table heading into game week seven.

Russell Martin’s Saints meanwhile are still without a win, and have taken just one point from their opening six matches back in the top flight.

The hosts saw off PSG in the Champions League earlier this week, while Southampton were comprehensively beaten by South Coast neighbours Bournemouth on Monday.

But despite the contrasting recent fortunes of both sides, Arsenal fans will be cautious about facing a team they have notoriously struggled against.

Arteta’s team have not beaten the Saints in their last three meetings, drawing twice and losing 1-0 at St Mary’s in 2022.

Arsenal Team News

As their injury crisis continues, there’s no let-up for Arsenal in the fullback department.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Kieran Tierney (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are all out, while both Ben White (groin) and Jurrien Timber (muscle) are struggling with fresh knocks.

Timber came off at half-time in the midweek victory over PSG, while Mikel Merino made his long-awaited debut in the second half, and is in contention to start on Saturday.

Gunners captain Martin Odegaard is still out with an ankle injury, but Kai Havertz has excelled in his place recently.

The German will become the first Arsenal player to score in five straight home Premier League games since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang if he nets another on Saturday.

Southampton Team News

The Saints are also without their skipper, though for a different reason. Defender Jack Stephens has been handed a further, two-match ban for his conduct after being sent off against Manchester United.

Will Smallbone has also failed to return in time after missing several weeks with a thigh problem, while Ireland teammate Gavin Bazunu remains sidelined for the foreseeable after rupturing his achilles during Southampton’s Championship play-off run at the end of last season.

Winger Kamaldeen Sulemana is the only other man missing from Russell Martin’s squad, whilst goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale returns to the Emirates for the first time since joining Southampton from Arsenal over the summer.

Arsenal Vs Southampton Predicted Lineups:

Arsenal predicted lineup:

Raya; Calafiori, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Havertz, Partey, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

Southampton predicted lineup:

Ramsdale; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Taylor; Downes, Aribo, Lallana; Fernandes; Dibling, Brereton Diaz