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Southampton have opened the scoring in seven of their last 11 league meetings with Arsenal, but have only gone on to win one of these encounters. The Gunners are looking to complete a first league double over the Saints in five seasons. Both teams have scored in 19 of Southampton’s matches this season, the second-most.
Both teams to score is 3/4.
Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is 6/5.
Armando Broja is 15/2 to break the deadlock and 5/2 to score anytime.
Bukayo Saka is 17/2 to open the scoring and 11/4 to score at St Mary’s, just as he did last season.
Match preview
Not so long ago, Arsenal were in the catbird seat to claim fourth place but now, their season looks set to go up in flames.
In this incidence, Mikel Arteta’s side were 2-0 down with just 24 minutes on the clock before eventually losing 3-0 to Crystal Palace.
Then, last weekend, they hosted a Brighton side who’d taken just one point from the last 21 available and had never won a Premier League game in April.
But, Dr. Arsenal provided the perfect tonic for the Seagulls with Brighton leading 2-0 in North London mid-way through the second half.
Martin Ødegaard’s long-range, deflected strike right at the end very much in vain in a, possibly, even worse showing.
So, Arsenal have now slipped down to fifth place and find themselves three points below Tottenham in the table.
After this, the Gunners’ next five games are against Chelsea, Manchester United, West Ham, Leeds and Spurs, showing that they’ve lost form at precisely the wrong time.
If Arsenal harbour any hopes of that crucial Champions League place, they surely need all three points.
Southampton meanwhile, just like their South Coast neighbours last Saturday, come into this clash with the Gunners in terrible form.
Last weekend, the Saints were demolished 6-0 by Chelsea and, in truth, it could very much have been their annual 9-0 drubbing.
This defeat means Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side have taken just one point from their last five, conceding 15 and scoring just thrice in this time.
They currently sit 14th and are safe from relegation, so are seemingly lacking motivation with seven games to go.
As was the case with Brighton last weekend, will a meeting with Arsenal be just what Southampton need to end their winless streak?Â
Southampton team news
Armando Broja, who’s got nine goals to his name this season, was ineligible to play against Chelsea last weekend, but will return here.
The Albanian striker could partner Ché Adams in attack with Adam Armstrong returning to the bench.
This would therefore break up the Adams, Armstrong and Adam Armstrong attacking axis.
Stuart Armstrong and Mohamed Elyounoussi could continue as the advanced midfield duo in this 4-2-2-2.
Theo Walcott, who scored 108 goals in 398 appearances for Arsenal, but hasn’t netted this season, will be left in reserve.
Arsenal team news
As for Arsenal, more than the back-to-back defeats, their season is spiralling out of control due to two key injuries.
Kieran Tierney needed knee surgery after returning from international duty, while Thomas Partey hobbled off against Crystal Palace.
The Scottish left-back is out until July with Partey, at best, only set to feature in the last two or three games of the season.
Mikel Arteta clearly has no faith in Nuno Tavares, hooking him at half time or earlier in his last two starts.
This meant, against Brighton, Granit Xhaka filled-in at left-back with Albert Sambi Lokonga attempting to fill Partey’s void pretty much alone.
What Arteta does this week is anyones guess.
On the other side, Cédric Soares will keep his place with Takehiro Tomiyasu having not featured since mid-January.
In attack, Alexandre Lacazette has come under fire in recent month having only scored four Premier League goals all season, including two penalties.
However, Southampton are his favourite Premier League opponents, scoring five times against them, including in the reverse fixture in December.
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