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PREVIEW: Arsenal vs Southampton – 08/04/2018

Arsenal vs Southampton

Date: 08/04/2018

K/O: 14.15pm

Venue: The Emirates

Referee: Andre Marriner 

Arsenal host Southampton on Sunday in a game that could be the sequel to last weeks uninspiring victory over Stoke.

Southampton will likely play the same way as Stoke with a packed defence and no goal threat even if they wanted to.

Arsenal come off the back of a thrilling win over CSKA Moscow which was sealed in a first half glut of goals which should see them into the semi finals of the Europa League.

Southampton are looking to bounce back from a pathetic loss to West Ham who stopped the fans rioting by racing into a three nil half time lead.

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Arsenal look to have lost David Ospina for the rest of the month and are also worried Mkhitaryan may have MCL damage. Maitland Niles is also injured along with long term absentee Santi Cazorla. The main impact on Arsenal’s team will be how much rotation Wenger sees necessary.

Aubemayang will return from his cup tied status whilst Holding and Chambers could push for places in defence. Wenger has spoken about the possibility of Lacazette and Aubemayang playing together and given both players are in good goalscoring form and this game had little riding on it, we may see them paired together.

Southampton only have minor doubts over midfield duo Davis and Lemina, and their main team issue will be how to muster up a goal threat and if they can provide chances for the fit again Charlie Austin who looks to be the only chance of Mark Hughes rescuing Southampton from relegation to the Championship.

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The Saints clearly have the most to play for but look unable to land a telling blow and as such Arsenal will be overwhelming favourites but were half asleep most of last Sunday afternoon’s early kick off and the focus will be on seeing Moscow off in Russia and finding an appropriate moment to announce Wenger’s new contract.

Predicted starting XI’s

Arsenal: 4-2-3-1

Cech; Chambers, Mustafi, Holding, Monreal; Elneny, Xhaka; Welbeck, Iwobi, Aubameyang; Lacazette

Southampton: 4-5-1

McCarthy; Cedric, Stephens, Hoedt, Bertrand; Tadic, Lemina, Hojbjerg, Ward Prowse, Redmond; Austin

Prediction: a half paced testimonial affair, which can’t surely be an painful a watch as last week. Arsenal 3-1

Written by Gary Robinson.

32 from Manchester. Working in the business banking sector, lover of the game and all its weird narratives. Writer for 90MAAT.  @ismyCAPplaying

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