MY ACCOUNT
– Gabriel Jesus has scored four goals in his last three outings
– Bottom-of-the-table Southampton have regularly been outclassed by top-half opponents
– Recommended bet: Gabriel Jesus to score at any time
A couple of damaging draws have stalled Arsenal’s title charge, but they still hold their destiny in their own hands and will be desperate to get back to winning ways at the Emirates Stadium.
A seven-match winning run to finish the season is not beyond the Gunners, who achieved just that prior to their recent back-to-back 2-2 draws, so Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be telling his players that they need only to rediscover their best form to claim a stunning league title success.
Far tougher challenges are to come so a visit from rock-bottom Southampton will be seen as just what the doctor ordered — the promise of an easy three points and a hatful of goals to boost confidence.
The Saints will have other ideas, of course, and are just as desperate for points.
With his side four points from safety, manager Ruben Selles cannot afford to write off any games and will know that any point could prove the difference between relegation and survival.
The Saints are up against it but a team who have landed shock results at Manchester United and Chelsea in their last four away games will be looking to cause another twist in the title race.
Team news
Arsenal right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu and midfielder Mohamed Elneny have both been ruled out for the season and centre-back William Saliba in unavailable with a back injury.
Left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko is a doubt with a minor groin issue.
Southampton are without injured trio Juan Larios at left-back, winger Mislav Orsic and centre-back Mohamed Salisu, while loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles in ineligible against his parent club.
Full-back Valentino Livramento is close to returning from an ACL lay-off but lacks match fitness while striker Che Adams is a major doubt with a calf injury.
The stats
Arsenal drew 1-1 at Southampton prior to the World Cup but have a spotless record when hosting teams from the bottom half, winning all seven games by a combined scoreline of 27-7.
Southampton, by contrast, have failed to win any of their 15 matches against top-half teams, losing 12 and conceding three or more goals on eight occasions.
That will make Gabriel Jesus’ eyes light up as he has scored in all three league starts for Arsenal since recovering from injury, netting four goals in those games.
Prediction
Southampton have looked to tighten up on the road since the departure of former manager Nathan Jones, with none of their last four away games producing more than a single goal.
However, they are unlikely to contain an Arsenal team who like to start fast and have a point to prove after dropping points in their last two games.
The Gunners roared out of the traps in those matches, taking 2-0 leads against both Liverpool and West Ham before being pegged back to 2-2, and it looked more a case of fatigue rather than nerves that eventually saw them relinquish the lead.
The attacking quality is not in doubt and even a Saints side focused solely on containment is unlikely to hold Arsenal’s early surge, so try adding over 1.5 first-half goals to Bet Builder selections — the Gunners have scored at least twice in the first half of five of their last seven league outings.
And leading Arsenal’s charge will be Jesus, who looks to have more left in the tank than some of his teammates after a lengthy injury layoff and who has scored at least once in each of his last three matches.
Back Gabriel Jesus to score at any time, available at evens with LiveScore Bet.
Win big with LiveScore 6!
Fancy winning up to £100,000?
Simply predict six correct scores from the weekend action for your chance to win – with consolation prizes also on offer if you go close.
Play LiveScore 6 for free this weekend – click here for details on how to get involved.
