Arsenal continue their Premier League title push against relegation-battling Southampton at Emirates Stadium.
If Liverpool lose in the lunchtime kick-off and Manchester City fail to beat Fulham, victory would put Arsenal top of the table.
Southampton meanwhile could climb out of the relegation zone with a win.
Team News
Jurrien Timber is a doubt for Arsenal after he suffered a muscle injury in their midweek Champions League win over PSG.
Ben White (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) could face late fitness checks.
Martin Odegaard (ankle), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Southampton have no fresh injury concerns as Jack Stephens (suspension), Will Smallbone (thigh), Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) and Kamaldeen Sulemana (ankle) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Arsenal host Southampton at Emirates Stadium in a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday 5 October, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal have lost one of their last five meetings against Southampton (W2, D2, L1).
- Southampton have failed to win in 24 Premier League visits to Arsenal (D8, L16).
- Martin Odegaard scored in each of Arsenal’s last two home games against Southampton.
- Arsenal’s Kai Havertz has converted three of his eight shots on target into league goals this season.
- Taylor Harwood-Bellis has lost more aerial duels than any other Southampton player this season (8).
Prediction
After their near second-half collapse against Leicester last weekend, Arsenal rebounded with a well-executed clinical win over PSG even if their possession control dipped at times – which was expected against tricky opposition.
A clean sheet though is a huge positive for the Gunners to take into this game where they really should win, especially can avoid another defensive calamity that fans saw last weekend.
Southampton meanwhile lost their clash against Bournemouth in the first half alone from poor defending to silly tactics, but they did pull a goal back after half-time which shows how important tactics will be for the Saints here.
I however can see just one result coming but if Russell Martin’s Saints go defensive, they will minimise their loss.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Southampton
Result: Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
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