Get set for Southampton's return to Premier League action at Arsenal on Saturday with our Match Pack in association with eToro...
THE MATCH
Arsenal vs Southampton
Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Saturday 23rd November 3pm GMT
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Assistants: Richard West, Neil Davies
Fourth official: Gavin Ward
VAR: Andy Madley
Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart
WHICH KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?
Hosts Arsenal will be in their traditional red shirts, meaning Saints will be wearing their away kit of dark grey shirts with yellow trim, yellow shorts and yellow socks.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
With both sides suffering defeat prior to the international break, the last fortnight’s preparation has been geared towards getting back on track in the Premier League.
For Saints – who’ve found success easier to come by on the road – they’ll be looking to capitalise on a fractious feeling around Arsenal, who have only won four of their opening 12 league matches.
Similarly, the Gunners will be targeting the meeting with Southampton as a chance to close the gap on the top four, which currently stands at eight points.
TEAM NEWS
Ralph Hasenhüttl will have something of a selection headache given he has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Ryan Bertrand is available after serving his three-match suspension, whilst Saints’ international contingent returned to Staplewood as they left, without any knocks.
For Arsenal, they’ll await to learn the fitness of Sead Kolašinac, Rob Holding and Bukayo Saka who all have minor knocks.
FORM GUIDE
Southampton:
Everton (h) 1-2 (Ings)
Man City (a) 1-2 (Ward-Prowse)
Man City (a) 1-3 (Stephens) Carabao Cup
Leicester (h) 0-9
Wolves (a) 1-1 (Ings)
Arsenal:
Leicester (a) 0-2
Vitória (a) 1-1 Mustafi (Europa League)
Wolves (h) 1-1 Aubameyang
Liverpool (a) 5-5* Martinelli 2, Torreira, Maitland-Niles, Willock (Carabao Cup)
Crystal Palace (h) 2-2 Sokratis, Luiz
*Liverpool won 5-4 on penalties
THE MANAGERS
Ralph Hasenhüttl: “It’s a tough game. Going there to win is not easy, but we have shown a few good performances in away games so far and we are followed by 3,000 fans again, so they are still trusting and believing in us.
“We have to show them that we can go there and be as brave as we were against Man City to take something. With a good performance, anything is possible.”
Unai Emery: “They are playing better away than in matches at home and they are very competitive away; they lost in the last moment against Manchester City and they won in Sheffield.
“They are going to be very motivated for the three points like us. We need to impose and show our game plan and intensity for 90 minutes on Saturday.”
ONES TO WATCH
Sofiane Boufal: Despite the disappointing defeat to Everton last time out, the tricky Moroccan was a bright spark after being introduced at half-time.
Providing the supply for Danny Ings’s seventh of the season, Boufal will be hoping for the chance to test Arsenal from the start.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Despite Arsenal’s stuttering start to the campaign, Aubameyang has been at his imperious best so far in 2019/20.
Sitting fourth in the Premier League top scorers list with eight goals to his name, the Gabonese will be the home side’s main threat.
TOP PERFORMERS
Southampton:
Goals:
Danny Ings 7
Moussa Djenepo 2
James Ward-Prowse 2
Assists:
Sofiane Boufal 3
James Ward-Prowse 2
Danny Ings 2
Arsenal:
Goals:
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 9
Gabriel Martinelli 7
Joe Willock 4
Assists:
Nicolas Pépé 4
Callum Chambers 3
Bukayo Saka 3
HEAD TO HEAD
Played 97
Saints 21
Draws 26
Arsenal 50
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
February 2019: Arsenal 2-0 Saints
December 2018: Saints 3-2 Arsenal (Ings 2, Austin)
April 2018: Arsenal 3-2 Saints (Austin, Long)
December 2017: Saints 1-1 Arsenal (Austin)
May 2017: Saints 0-2 Arsenal
DID YOU KNOW?
- Seven of Southampton’s eight points earned in the Premier League this season have come in away games (88%)
- Arsenal have a negative goal difference (-1) 12 games into a top-flight season for the first time since the 1982-83 campaign (also -1)
NOT AT THE GAME?
Don’t worry if you can’t make it to the Emirates Stadium – we’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all of the action, as well as a host of behind-the-scenes access.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with all of the live in-game updates and free audio commentary of the match, and be sure to follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
- Instagram
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Snapchat
Share this: