Arsenal host Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday, 10 September. The Gunners will look to reduce the points gap between them and clubs like Manchester United and Manchester City.

Where to Watch

Kick-off is set for 3pm BST. Live commentary of the game will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live. Highlights will be shown on BBC Match of the Day at 10:50pm BST on BBC One.

Overview

Arsenal come into the game on the back of their first win in the Premier League, against Watford, after a loss against Liverpool on the opening day and a 0-0 draw against Leicester City. The mood is much better at the Emirates with the signing of two new players before deadline day, in the form of Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez. Both players are likely to make an appearance and the fans will be hoping that they can set the ground running from the outset, especially with other clubs around them tearing away in the race for the title.

The Gunners are five points behind the Manchester clubs and teams, who have all won their first three games. The Gunners have some catching up to do or they might be out of the race midway through the season. Aaron Ramsey is still short after suffering a hamstring injury on the opening day while Gabriel and Alex Iwobi are back in training.

Southampton have an enviable record against the Gunners in recent times, beating them 4-0 at St.Mary's last year on boxing Day and following that up with a brilliant defensive performance at the Emirates, drawing the game 0-0. The Saints have drawn two and lost one of their last three games and will be looking to recreate their past form against the North London club, who are yet to find their groove this season.

What Managers Say

Arsene Wenger: "[International breaks] are a little bit of a problem [for maintaining fluency], so I have to analyse how everybody came back, what kind of intensity they had to cope with and the fact as well that we play three days later again. Certainly, for some players, four games in 10 days plus the travelling is not really feasible at the top, top level. That's why you have a strong squad and I will focus on the players who could prepare properly for the game."

Claude Puel: "Before signing for Southampton I spoke with him about the possibilities to coach in England. He said to me it would be a very good challenge to coach in England in the greatest championship in the world. It was important to sign for Southampton and to play against these managers. Arsene Wenger was my trainer during seven years at Monaco. It [is] a pleasure to see him on the other bench."

Betting Odds (betfair)

  • Arsenal Win: 4/7
  • Draw: 3
  • Southampton Win: 24/5

Team News

Arsenal

Possible XI: Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka, Coquelin; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Perez; Walcott.

Southampton

Possible XI: Forster; Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Targett; Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Davis; Tadic, Redmond, Long

Arsenal FC Southampton FC Premier League