Eighth-placed Southampton travel to North London to take on third-placed Arsenal, aiming for their first-ever league victory at the Emirates Stadium.
The Saints are coming off their third straight clean sheet and third straight victory, a 1-0 triumph at Old Trafford thanks to an 87th minute goal from new signing Charlie Austin. The result was Southampton’s second successive away victory against Manchester United, after being winless at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ for 27-years prior to last season.
With the top of the table in sight, the Gunners faltered last time out in a 1-0 home defeat to struggling Chelsea, thanks to a goal by nemesis Diego Costa.
Plenty is at stake for both sides – Arsenal can return to the top of the pile with a victory, provided results go their way. With favourable results elsewhere Southampton could jump into sixth place, if they can notch their fourth straight win.
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Key Battle – Petr Cech vs Shane Long
Round two of the battle between the form players of their respective sides proves to be a match-up to keep an eye on, if the first encounter was anything to go by.
After starting the season behind Graziano Pelle in the pecking order, Irish international Shane Long was used mainly as a substitute or as a winger when promoted to the starting side. Pelle’s recent knee injury has opened the door for Long to lead the line though and he appears to be taking his chance with both hands. Since these two last met, Long has started every league game in his preferred position and has three goals and an assist in those six matches.
Many have argued the reason Arsenal are a real title contender this season is the signing of Petr Cech, who is described as the missing puzzle piece in their quest for the title. The former Chelsea gloveman has no shortage of silverware and is delivering the goods for his new side thus far, impressing many fans as the Gunners look to keep pace with leaders Leicester.
When these two last went head to head, it was Long who came out on top, scoring twice against Cech and perhaps he could have ended up with three or four, with some better finishing. Cech will be looking to right the wrongs of that day, while the Irishman will be aiming to cement his spot in the starting side, especially with Charlie Austin joining the strikeforce.
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Team News
Although Per Mertesacker was sent-off in the home defeat to Chelsea he will be available for this one, as he served his one match ban in the FA cup clash with Burnley.
Influential midfielder Francis Coquelin is in the mix to return to Premier League matchday action after completing two full weeks of training and starting against Burnley. On the other hand, Danny Welbeck is likely to sit this one out, although he edges closer to a return from injury.
Southampton will be close to full strength, however, Pelle and Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis are in doubt. The pair missed the victory at Old Trafford, yet it is likely Jordy Clasie and Long will retain their spot in the starting side even if the in-doubt duo are passed fit. Despite scoring the winner at Old Trafford, Austin may feature as a substitute again as Koeman will be hesitant to change a winning side.
Head-to-head
Since Southampton’s promotion back to the top-flight in the 2012-13 season, the two have met eight times (once in the League Cup) for three wins and two draws each. Southampton’s three wins against the Gunners in this time have come in the last five meetings, with Arsenal winning just one of those previous five – which was a last minute 1-0 victory in the previous meeting at the Emirates Stadium.
Previous Meeting
An out-of-sorts Southampton blew Arsenal away at St. Mary’s with a 4-0 thumping of the title challengers. Cuco Martina bent in a contender for goal of the season, Long bagged a brace and captain Jose Fonte displayed his aerial prowess with a thumping header. The Gunners could have been hit for six or even seven with better finishing and were never at the races. As a result, Saints remained undefeated against the North Londoners at home since their promotion back to the Premier League.
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Prediction
This is going to be an intriguing match-up considering the reverse fixture and recent form.
After some poor losses which involved defeats away to Norwich, West Ham and Crystal Palace, the Saints have started a revival with three wins from their last three in the league – scoring six and conceding none in the process. The confidence of the front line will be high going into this one, with Austin scoring at Old Trafford just minutes after coming off the bench and Long displaying his best form thus far in a Saints shirt, who is a constant threat with his pace in-behind which Arsenal could not deal with last time out.
The Gunners had the chance to return to the summit against Chelsea, but drew a blank against their bogey side. Is it that Arsenal getting the title jitters again, or was it just a bad day at the office? Despite an excellent season thus far, this match will go a long way to test their nerve when the prize is there for the taking and the weight of expectation is on their shoulders.
A Southampton side in good form with a good recent record against Arsenal, a different dimension in attack through Long (as opposed to the recently ineffective Pelle) and a Gunners side that will be feeling the pressure from Leicester and Manchester City leads one to believe they will falter again and the spoils will be shared at a very tough place for any visiting side.
Arsenal 1 Southampton 1
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