Arsenal vs Southampton: Preview and Prediction

Saturday 23rd November 2019

England Premier League
Saturday 23rd November 2019
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Emirates Stadium

Match Preview:

Unai Emery spoke of calm after a dire set of results has put his job on the line. The reason he said this is because when you look at Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures they appear to have a good run and it starts on Saturday at home to under performing Southampton.

The Gunners are in 6^th place and have not won a game for 4 matches and the fans have grown frustrated. On top of that no one knows if former captain Granit Xhaka will play again after his confrontation with the fans, although the international break may have eased those tensions slightly.

Arsenal just need a win but their problem is that they have now slipped 8 points from a top 4 position which surely has to be the bare minimum that Emery needs to achieve with the club.

On the whole Arsenal’s home form is good as they haven’t lost yet this season but their last couple of matches at the Emirates have been disappointing in the fact that both times they were leading their games against Crystal Palace and Wolves but were pegged back for a draw.

Southampton come into this game in 19^th place and have lost their last 3 consecutive matches. At this rate they look likely relegation contenders. They have lost 8 of their 12 games played so far.

What has been interesting is that the Saints away form is far superior to their home form and 7 of their total of 8 points have been picked up on the road. Having said that they haven’t won away from home in the last 3 games, although the scores have been very close. For example they lost out only 2-1 at Manchester City the other week and a few weeks before that lost by the same score line at Tottenham.

Team News:

Arsenal: Dani Ceballos has been ruled out until December with a hamstring injury. Sead Kolasinac will be assessed to play after his hamstring injury.

Southampton: The club have no new injury concerns heading into this match

Arsenal vs Southampton Head to Head:

Last season Arsenal beat Southampton 2-0.

Southampton have not won at Arsenal since 2016.

Arsenal have won 3 from the last 5 meetings at home against the Saints.

Arsenal vs Southampton Prediction:

Forget the other results for Arsenal this is the one that will stick and the reason why is that the board and fans will be expecting that their team can beat Southampton, currently in the bottom three. There is a real possibility that Emery’s job could go with defeat here. In truth it is hard to see that happening and we think Arsenal can ease to victory. They simply have too much quality and pace in the team, but at the same time they aren’t a brilliant price for us, so we will opt to back them with a -1 "asian handicap", which offers no extra risk than a simple "full time result" bet. Our main bet will be to see Aubameyang score. He is odds on but without him Arsenal look like a bottom half side and when he doesn’t score they usually lose, they will need him more than ever.

Arsenal vs Southampton Betting Tips:

Anytime goalscorer: Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang at 1.50

Asian handicap (-1 Arsenal) at 1.73