Arsenal will aim to keep pace with the Premier League’s title hopefuls in their final game before the October international break against Southampton.
The Gunners enjoyed an impressive return to the Champions League on Tuesday, proving too strong for Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in a 2-0 victory. Their attention now reverts back to the English top flight, where they are currently a point off Liverpool at the summit.
A win on Saturday could take them top, but manager Mikel Arteta also has some injury concerns to address ahead of the weekend.
Here’s the Arsenal lineup the Spaniard could deploy against Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Southampton (4-2-3-1)
GK: David Raya – Had a solid showing against PSG, making a couple of saves, but wasn’t tested too much. It could be another quiet afternoon for the Spaniard despite Southampton’s willingness to commit numbers forward.
RB: Jurrien Timber – The Dutchman went off injured in midweek and his potential absence would give Arteta a tactical conundrum for the weekend. The boss will hope Timber shakes off his knock and is able to start, with Ben White also struggling with a groin problem.
CB: William Saliba – There are no issues in central defence, with the calm and physical Saliba set to continue his partnership with Gabriel. While his colleague has scored twice, Saliba is yet to strike this season.
CB: Gabriel – The Brazilian defender remains one of Arsenal’s biggest goal threats from set-pieces and will get a chance or two against a Saints side that has conceded 12 goals in six league games.
LB: Riccardo Calafiori – The summer arrival managed to shake off a knock to play against PSG and is likely to be deployed at left-back again, unless injuries on the opposite flank force him to play out of position.
CM: Declan Rice – PSG’s midfielders had little space to breathe in the face of Rice’s omnipresent running and closing down. The 25-year-old has struck in the Carabao Cup but is still on the hunt for his first league goal of the season.
CM: Thomas Partey – There’s a chance Partey could be required at right-back if neither Timber nor White pull through in time. However, the Ghanaian has enjoyed a renaissance at the start of 2024/25 and will hope to continue in midfield.
RW: Bukayo Saka – Tortured PSG left-back Nuno Mendes for the majority of their clash and scored Arsenal’s second to put them in full control.
AM: Leandro Trossard – Enjoyed playing as the number 10 in midweek after his late heroics against Leicester City last Saturday. Has responded in the right manner after his red card at Manchester City.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – Seems to be rediscovering some confidence and good form after a dry run, scoring and assisting against Leicester.
ST: Kai Havertz – It was Havertz who put Arsenal ahead on Tuesday and the German was too hot for Marquinhos and Willian Pacho to handle throughout the contest. He continues to go from strength to strength since leaving Chelsea.
