Arsenal vs. Southampton Preview

Another week, another game where I find myself saying that if we want to be contenders, we really need to take 3 points away from this match. I really need to realise that in football you have to win every week pretty much, that’s what makes it more exciting than other sports. So straight in to it.

Who: Southampton F.C. (L-L-L)
What: Premier League Home Match
When: 15 September, 3PM local time
Where: Emirates Stadium (60, 361)
How: Fox Sports 1 (for me, probably Fox Soccer Channel for you North Americans)

Them: After having been promoted this season, Southampton have had a rough start to the season. Of their three games so far, two of them have been against the Manchester clubs, both of which they performed admirably in. They are a very strong team in attack given their somewhat lowly status in English football, and this has been in their attacking stats this season (2 goals against each of Manchester United and City), and were very unlucky to come away empty handed against both of those teams. However, they have conceded 8 goals so far in three games, which is quite a lot, and despite the fact that they have been playing top teams, they continue to attack rather than sitting back. Maybe they decide to change it up for this time around, or maybe they decide to continue with their attacking style.

Us: Arsenal are the only team in the league who are yet to concede a goal. It could be argued that we have played two teams who didn’t seem to understand that scoring is sort of the point of the game, but nonetheless, we are a much improved defensive outfit. I expect Wojo to slot straight back into goals given the fact that he is quite clearly our first-choice, and the rest of our back four should remain the same. Koscielny is a great player, but the manager cannot justify mixing up a defensive outfit that has been so effective so far this season. The word on the street is that Coquelin will be moving into the midfield to take the place of Diaby, and Arteta will be allowed to move a bit further upfield. I support this decision, as I feel as if Coquelin has been nothing but quality so far in his career, and he should be given an opportunity, especially against a team like Southampton. Up front the general consensus seems to be that Giroud will start in the centre, and will score a brace. Henry and Bergkamp did it, so it is only logical that Giroud will do the same. I think he has a decent chance of scoring, but I don’t believe in those sorts of coincidences.

So I think our lineup will be:

OK, here’s my best guess at a lineup:

Wojo

Jenkinson Mertesacker Vermaelen Gibbs

Coquelin – - – - – - Arteta

Cazorla

Gervinho – - – - – - – - – - – Podolski

Giroud

Bench: Mannone, Koscielny, Djourou, Santos, Walcott, Ramsey, AOC,

I would like to say that I have copied the format that the old Chelsea Offside used to use for previews. As much as I hate Chelsea, those guys ran a good blog.

Sorry about the late post too guys.

COYG.

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Category: Arsenal News