EPL 2016/17: Arsenal Vs Southampton - Preview, team news, predicted line-ups

London, Sep 8: English Premier League giants Arsenal FC host Southampton in a crucial game week 4 encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday (September 10) evening. [EPL: Schedule of game week 4]

After a tough start to the season, the Gunners gained momentum in the last game week as they defeated Watford 3-1 to register their first win in the competition.

Alexis Sanchez scored a brace and Mesut Ozil was on target to guide Arsenal to a smooth win. Arsenal now have 4 points from the first 3 matches of the league.

Southampton on the other hand are yet to secure a win as they drew two matches and lost one against Manchester United.

Time: 7:30 PM (IST)

Venue: Emirates Stadium

Channel: Star Sports Networks

Team News

Arsenal are all set to welcome two of their newest members Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez into their starting XI. Both the players were bought on the transfer deadline day to bolster their squad.

Mustafi's arrival will strengthen their backline which was looking extremely weak until last weekend. Arsenal fans will be eager to watch Mustafi-Koscielny combination at the heart of defense.

Arsene Wenger may also hand Lucas Perez his Arsenal debut against Southampton. Alexis Sanchez was the stop-gap striker for Arsenal in the last match against Watford. Which clearly indicates that the manager has lost faith in French international Olivier Giroud.

Southampton custodian Fraser Forster is currently suffering from a minor hand injury but he is expected come back before the match. Other than that Claude Puel does not have any injury worries and is expected to field his best possible side.

Probable squads

Arsenal: Petr Cech, David Ospina, Hector Bellerin, Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Kieran Gibbs, Rob Holding Granit Xhaka, Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Francis Coquelin, Mohamad Elneny, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lucas Perez, Olivier Giroud.

Southampton: Fraser Forster, Alex McCarthy, Cedric, Jose Fonte, Virgil van Djik, Matt Targett, Ryan Bertrand, Maya Yoshida, Nathan Redmond, Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg, Steven Davis, Oriol Romeu, Jordi Clasie, James Ward-Prowse, Dusan Tadic, Shane Long, Charlie Austin, Jay Rodriguez.

Arsenal predicted XI

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech

Defenders: Hector Bellerin, Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal

Midfielders: Granit Xhaka, Santi Cazorla; Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez

Striker: Lucas Perez

Southampton predicted XI

Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster

Defenders: Cedric, Jose Fonte, Virgil van Djik, Matt Targett

Midfielders: Oriol Romeu, Steve Davis, Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg, Dusan Tadic

Strikers: Charlie Austin, Shane Long

Prediction

Arsenal 2-0 Southampton

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