England Premier League
Wednesday 16th December 2020
Kick off at 6pm GMT
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Match Preview:
What strange days these are for Arsenal who come into this midweek match in 15th place. In any other season that would have been a typo for 5th but there we have it, Arsenal are having their worst season in 40 years.
In fairness there were hints of it last season as the Gunners flirted with 10th place for the majority of the campaign before finishing in 8th on the final weekend of the season. But this feels utterly disappointing giving that Mikel Arteta had stepped into the job and got many things right before winning the FA Cup last season. But on reflection if under Arteta Arsenal took a step forward then they have taken 10 steps back.
Last weekend the Gunners lost their 4th game, not of the season but at home and in a row, this time it was Burnley, and this time it was an own goal via the head of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang perhaps Arsenal’s best player, who has gone quiet in front of goal since signing his new contract.
Arsenal have lost 3 games in a row and haven’t won a game since beating Manchester United at the beginning of November. This match included would mean Arsenal have had the benefit of playing 3 of their four games at home recently but that seems a hindrance to them.
Southampton must come into this match full of confidence. After 3 wins from their last five games they are in 4th place with 23 points and just 2 points shy from the top. Last weekend they beat Sheffield United 3-0 and the week before it was Brighton. The early return of Danny Ings from a knee injury has helped the club but other players have shone through to like James Ward-Prowse, Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong and Southampton have a very good team.
Away from home is good news too with the Saints being defeated on just one occasion so far and earning 11 points from a possible 18. They have not lost a game on the road in over 3 months.
Team News:
Arsenal: Hector Bellerin is suspended for picking up his fifth yellow of the season. Granit Xhaka is suspended for 3 games after being sent off at the weekend. David Luiz is being pencilled in to return for this match after his head injury a few weeks ago v Wolves. Sead Kolasinac could return from this game after his knock and will be assessed.
Southampton: There are no injury worries for the club ahead of the match.
The clubs drew 2-2 in last seasons fixture at the Emirates.
Southampton have beaten Arsenal in London a few times in the league cup but the Saints last win in the league was back in 1987.
Arsenal have scored at least 2 goals against Southampton in each of their last five meetings.
Arsenal vs Southampton Prediction:
On paper you could say a home victory, on form you would say away. Maybe like last season the clubs will meet in the middle?
Arsenal really need a victory here and that means they have to start the game at a frantic pace. Southampton will find joy too as the Gunners will have to expose themselves. But we need to see a risky but confident Arsenal side who are not afraid to play down the middle, this has been an evident problem in recent performances. One selection we will pick is to see both teams to score, we are expecting an explosive start to the match and some sort of reaction from the players.
Southampton can’t be taken lightly so we will back the away side to come away with at least a point in this encounter.
Arsenal vs Southampton Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (+0.5 Southampton) at 1.675
Both teams to score at 1.66
Anytime goalscorer: Danny Ings at 2.25
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