Matches are starting to come thick and fast for Premier League teams and arguments could be had about whether it is a good or a bad thing.
Arsenal host Southampton at an empty Emirates Stadium after London saw it’s tier ranking upgraded, however with how recent performances have been going for the Gunners, that might just be a blessing for them.
Southampton, though, will provide them with a huge test in this encounter as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side continue to impress in a position in which the north London outfit would have only expected to see themselves in at the start of the campaign and can perhaps only dream of achieving now.
Recent form
The last time Arsenal managed to win a Premier League match was back on November 1 when they defeated Manchester United. Since then, the Gunners have suffered defeats to Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley at the Emirates Stadium, as well as a defeat to noisy north London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur. A goalless draw against Leeds United at Elland Road – a watch in which it could be argued that they were lucky to get a point from – has seen the fans turn a little hostile and with reason. For bettors that use high roller online casinos, their luck would have really need to have been in if they were to be able to make any money from that form!
For the Saints, though, things could not be a lot better as they have catapulted themselves into the top four. Wins against the likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Sheffield United in the same period of Arsenal’s poor form has seen them win plaudits, whilst they perhaps should have had points from their late 3-2 defeat to Manchester United.
Team news
Arsenal will be without Granit Xhaka for the next three games after he saw red against Aston Villa in their last encounter whilst Hector Bellerin will also miss the game against Southampton – anyone banking on a foul throw will have to wait to the next fixture, now. It might be best to visit www.reelsofjoy.com this time and sit out on the action instead.
The problems continue to mount for Mikel Arteta, though, as David Luiz and Thomas Partey are unlikely to be involved, although Nicolas Pepe could participate in his first game after picking up a stupid red card against Leeds United.
Southampton will be delighted that they have no injury concerns heading into the game, thus allowing Hasenhuttl to keep things as strong as possible.
The manager will likely be looking towards the likes of Jannik Vestergaard and James Ward-Prowse to keep things ticking over, whilst Danny Ings and Che Adams will be tasked with finding the back of the net.
