Prediction: Arsenal vs Southampton

Verdict: Southampton double chance

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet

Smelling a real chance to cause an upset in the capital on Wednesday evening, Southampton will look to pile more pressure onto Arsenal when they travel to the Emirates.

Arsenal

Starting with the hosts, coming under even more scrutiny over the weekend, Arsenal were hit with a woeful 1-0 defeat against Burnley in North London and the Gunners suddenly find themselves at the heart of a real crisis. Opening the midweek fixtures sat all the way down in 15th and many feeling that Mikel Arteta’s position at the Emirates is growing more untenable by the week, Pep Guardiola’s former right-hand man finds his new squad in the midst of their worst domestic start in almost 40 years. Despite lifting the FA Cup at an empty Wembley over the summer, Arsenal are enduring a stunning five-match winless run in the Premier League, managing to collect just a single point since November 1st. Along with showing a string of issues in the final third, there is no doubt that Arteta will have a real headache over his side’s remarkable losing run on home soil. Including that shock 1-0 defeat against Burnley on Sunday night, the midweek hosts have lost each of their last four top-flight contests at the Emirates, their worst run at home since December 1959.

Team News

After being shown a straight red against Burnley on Sunday night, Granit Xhaka will start a three-match suspension and is unavailable in midweek.

Likewise, also picking up his fifth booking of the season over the weekend, right-back Hector Bellerin will also be out on Wednesday evening.

Southampton

As for the visitors, while the mood in Arsenal’s camp might be at a real low, the same cannot be said for a Southampton side who have really shocked many across the Premier League this season. Last seen over the weekend when breezing past a struggling Sheffield United on home soil, the Saints landed a 3-0 romp in front of their returning fans and they now open the midweek fixtures sat in that fourth and final Champions League spot. With many around St. Mary’s believing that their side could mount a shock European charge this season, Head Coach Ralph Hasenhüttl has seen his side really bounce back from that 3-2 defeat against Manchester United last month. With that defeat on the South Coast their only Premier League loss in their last 10 top-flight appearances on the bounce, Southampton have also largely impressed with their continued success on the road. Including landing a 2-1 win away at Brighton in their last matchup away from St. Mary’s, the Saints have lost just one of their last 11 Premier League away fixtures continuing on from last season.

Team News

With no new injury or suspensions to deal with in midweek, Southampton will make the trip to North London likely to line-up with the same XI that came past Sheffield United over the weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• Arsenal have managed to collect just a single point from their last five Premier League matchups.
• The Gunners have also lost each of their last four consecutive top-flight matchups at the Emirates, their worst run since December 1959.
• Southampton have collected back-to-back victories and have lost just one of their last 10 Premier League fixtures.
• More impressive, continuing on from the extended 2019/2020 campaign, Wednesday’s guests have lost just one of their last 11 top-flight matchups on the road.
• Arsenal’s tally of 10 goals after 12 Premier League games is their lowest at this stage of a top-flight season since 1981-82 (8 goals).

Conclusion

While Arsenal might open Wednesday’s meeting as a top pick with the bookmakers, there is no doubt that Southampton will be smelling a real chance to cause an upset in the capital. Managing to breeze past Sheffield United thanks to a 3-0 romp on the South Coast, Wednesday’s guests have stormed their way into the top-four and have lost just one of their last 10 Premier League matchups. With Arsenal likely to still be reeling from that stunning 1-0 defeat at home against Burnley over the weekend, it should also be noted that the Gunners have also lost each of their last four consecutive top-flight matchups at the Emirates, their worst run since December 1959. Two sides who find the mood in their camps at polar opposites, don’t be surprised to see the Saints leave with something to show for themselves in midweek.

Verdict: Southampton double chance

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet