Premier League Preview – Southampton v Arsenal

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Southampton v Arsenal - Premier League Preview and Betting Tips

 

Arsenal’s ability to score goals seems to have been enhanced greatly by the moving of Theo Walcott to a central position. Since making this decision, Arsene Wenger’s side have won three Premier League matches on the trot, scoring thirteen goals in three games, with Walcott contributing four goals and five assists.

 

Thus, as much as there is a renewed optimism at the Emirates Stadium, currently a large portion of focus for supporters and administrators alike rests on ensuring that Walcott extends his contact at Arsenal. By the time this match kicks off, Walcott will technically be a free agent who is able to talk to other clubs.

 

While the player has not specifically indicated any desire to do so, the lure of greater riches elsewhere has already seen Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie, Alex Song and Gael Clichy all set off for pastures new in the last couple of years alone. Had Arsenal managed to hand on to all of those players, it seems quite probable that they would have been in a position to launch a serious title challenge. Arguably just avoiding the sale of Robin van Persie to Manchester United could have been enough to seriously swing the balance of power from the north west in Arsenal’s favour. It is therefore absolutely imperative to Arsenal’s future that they tie down Walcott to a long-term contract.

 

The need to incite Walcott to sign on the dotted line, though, take secondary stage to this Premier League fixture with Southampton. The Saints have picked up somewhat in recent weeks, and now look to have a reasonable chance of escaping relegation back to the Championship. Rickie Lambert has proved a durable Premier League forward, and the likes of Lallana, Ramirez and Rodriguez have proved to be excellent foils for him. Nonetheless with a very challenging January programme of fixtures ahead of them, Arsenal will be doubly determined to pick up three points against moderate opposition.

 

Arsene Wenger must decide whether to shuffle his pack a little going into this match, with the Gunners having played just three days ago. It seems likely, however, with the FA Cup coming up at the weekend that he may pick a largely unchanged eleven from the team that thrashed Newcastle in dramatic fashion by seven goals to three. This would mean retaining the front three of Walcott, Podolski and Oxlade-Chameberlain, who all scored against Newcastle, and the midfield three of Arteta, Walcott and Cazorla who have looked so creative in the last few matches. Per Mertesacker may be well enough to reclaim his place in the starting eleven, having missed the Newcastle match with a mild illness.

 

Southampton may very well retain the side that earnt a creditable, but ultimately disappointing, draw at Stoke. However, Gaston Ramirez is also pushing for a recall, having been benched during the Saints’ previous fixture. Top scorer Rickie Lambert will once again lead the line.

 

Southampton (possible 4-4-2): Davis; Yoshida, Hooiveld, Fonte, Shaw; Schneiderlin, Cork, Puncheon, Do Prado; Lambert, Rodriguez

 

Arsenal (possible 4-2-3-1): Szczęsny; Sagna, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Arteta, Wilshere; Oxlade-Chamberlain; Cazorla; Podolski; Walcott

 

Betting Prediction: With two teams that score a lot of goals, and are prone to leak them as well, one possible bet in what is an unpredictable fixture would be in the over 2.5 goals market. However, this will attract narrow odds. I’m going to tip Arsenal to win this one by two clear goals, which should attract more favourable odds. It’s difficult and risky to predict a precise scoreline considering Arsenal have had 5-2 and 7-3 results in their last three fixtures.

 

 

 

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• Chelsea may test Arsenal’s resolve with offer for Theo Walcott
• Arsene Wenger: building a new Arsenal team is frustrating, but I won’t rush into panic buys
• Calls for Arsenal to sack Wenger grow amid Bould breakdown rumours, Everton’s £15m strikers splash & Spurs eye Sneijder
• The Changingman: Why Bradford defeat must be the turning point in Wenger’s way of thinking

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