Flash Past - Arsenal v Southampton [EPL]

Howdy Gooners J

Hope everyone’s fine. There were some really good performances by national teams in the Worl Cup qualifiers that took place during the week. While Ronaldo’s brilliance ensured that there’s going to be no Ibracadabra at Brazil, France managing to qualify against 10 men Ukraine in spite of Koscielny’s sending off in the first leg and the BFG’s header sinking England in a friendly at Wembley were news of interest for gooners. We are back to the premier league after that uneventful loss against United and this weekend we face Southampton. We literally ran over them last season and this is how the game happened J

Lineup Then:

Arsenal

Starting XI : Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen(C), Gibbs, Coquelin*, Arteta, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho*, Podolski*

Subs : Mannone, Koscielny, Santos, Ramsey*, Arshavin, Walcott*, Giroud*

Goal Scorers : Gervinho(2), Podolski, Walcott

Assist : Arteta

Southampton

Starting XI : Davis, Clyne, Hooiveld, Fonte, Fox, Schneiderlin, Ward-Prowse, Davis, Puncheon, Lallana(C), Lambert

Subs : Gazzaniga, Yoshida*, Richardson, Chaplow, Ramirez*, Mayuka, Rodriguez*

Goal Scorers : Fox

*subbed players

Blast from the Past:

Before this game, Arsenal had their best defensive start in 88 years, having not conceding in their first 3 games. Good combination play from Podolski and Gibbs ten minutes into the game led to an own goal from the Saints. Podolski scored our second with a fantastic free kick which was his first home goal as well. Arteta found Gervinho with a wonderful ball and it was one of those days when Gervinho could do nothing wrong, scoring our 3^rd goal. Saints were buckling under pressure and Gibbs was playing superbly. A couple of minutes later, another cross from Gibbs led to an own goal by Clyne and the score read 4-0 with not even 45 minutes on the clock. Before the first half could finish, a defensive error by Szczesny who made his first start of the season led to the first goal Saints. Well into the 2^nd half, Ramsey received the ball from Cazorla and with neat skill, had a shot at goal which hit the bar only to be tapped in by Gervinho. In the end, Walcott scored his first goal of the season coming as a substitute. Having scored against his former club, he didn’t celebrate and the game ended with an emphatic 6-1 victory for Arsenal. You can watch the highlights here

Current Mood:

Arsenal have endured a difficult few weeks in which they have had to face Liverpool, Dortmund, Chelsea and Manchester United. Though we managed to defeat Dortmund and Liverpool, and lost to Chelsea in a not so important COC game, the loss against United was a bitter pill to swallow. It has reduced our gap at the top of the table to 2 points. Some of our players have got their much needed rest and with a week’s break, we need to start building the momentum again with a good win.

Southampton on the other hand have made a brilliant start to the season, having conceded just 5 goals in 11 games. They have lost just one game, against Norwich on the road while notching a victory at Anfield and creditable draws at Old Trafford and the Britannia Stadium. They are high on confidence and would be looking to get all the 3 points.

Injury List:

Arsenal

Oxlade Chamberlain(Knee), Diaby (Knee), Podolski (hamstring)

Walcott is expected to return to this week and Rosicky is expected to feature in the subs

Southampton

Cork(Ankle), Guly(Knee)

Predicted Lineup:

Arsenal

Flamini is suspended after receiving his 5^th yellow card of the season in last game. Walcott will be back and could be put into the starting XI directly. Wilshere and Rosicky could feature in the subs and we will be having a decent bench after a long time.

Southampton

Southampton will be fielding their strongest team to avenge their loss and repay what they got the last time they met us.

Talisman:

Arsenal

Walcott is returning back to the side after the injury that kept him out for over a month. His runs on the counter attack will be a huge boost to the side and there will be a lot more hunger to score goals.

Southampton       

Lallana is the man who can turn the game in Southampton’s favor and help them to a win. He has been in good form and he could even feature in the scoring list this weekend.

Score line Prediction:

As both teams play in a similar fashion which is beautiful football, the fans are in for a treat!

My prediction will be 2-0 to the Gunners, with Walcott and Giroud on the scoresheet.

Come on you gunners!