Arsenal will face Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in a Premier League clash on Saturday, 5th October 2024. This match comes right before the international break, with Arsenal aiming to continue their strong form following a 2-0 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain.
The Gunners are third in the Premier League, level on points with Manchester City, while Southampton have struggled, sitting 19th in the table without a league win since their promotion. Mikel Arteta will be looking to capitalise on his side's momentum against a Saints team that has been hit with injuries and suspensions.
Southampton will be keen to reverse their fortunes but face a daunting task away from home. Arsenal are expected to rotate slightly, with key players returning from injury, while Southampton will be forced to shuffle their squad after key absences.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may hand Mikel Merino his Premier League debut after the midfielder featured in the Champions League. With Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney, and Martin Ødegaard still out, the Gunners will have to adapt their lineup.
Ben White remains a doubt, meaning Jakub Kiwior could start at left-back, pushing Riccardo Calafiori to the right if Takehiro Tomiyasu does not recover in time.
The likely midfield trio will probably include Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, and the newly fit Merino. Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Kai Havertz are expected to lead the attack, offering a mix of creativity and pace.
Here is how the side is likely to lineup:
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya (GK) — Calafiori, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior — Merino, Partey, Rice — Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
Southampton Predicted Lineup
Southampton will be missing a few key players, with Jack Stephens suspended and injuries to Will Smallbone and Kamaldeen Sulemana. Russell Martin will likely field a defensive 4-2-3-1 formation, hoping to stifle Arsenal's attack.
Aaron Ramsdale, recently transferred from Arsenal, will face his former club, while Joe Aribo is expected to start in midfield alongside new signing Florent Ugochukwu.
The Saints will rely on the likes of Max Cornet and Ben Brereton Díaz to find a way past Arsenal's defence, though it will be a tough challenge.
Southampton predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale (GK) — Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Taylor — Downes, Ugochukwu — Cornet, Fernandes, Aribo — Brereton Diaz.
Arsenal 
Southampton 
