England - Premier League
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Played
January 1, 2013 5:30 PM GMT
St. Mary's Stadium — Southampton, Hampshire
Referee:‬ L. Probert‎
Attendance:‬ 31743‎
 
35′ G. Ramírez
Guilherme Do Prado 41′ (OG)

Southampton - Arsenal Preview: In-form Gunners travel to relegation-threatened Saints

Arsene Wenger takes his side to the south coast for their first match of 2013, with Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returning to their old stomping ground

By Chris Teale

More On :  Arsenal, Southampton, Southampton vs Arsenal
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SOUTHAMPTON

Davis
Yoshida, Hooiveld, Fonte, Shaw
Schneiderlin, Cork, Puncheon, Do Prado
Lambert, Rodriguez
ARSENAL

Szczesny
Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs
Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla
Podolski, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain

Southampton defender Nathaniel Clyne is nearing a comeback from the knock he sustained on Boxing Day, although he may only make the bench for this game.

Adam Lallana remains a doubt with a knee injury, although Nigel Adkins is hopeful of welcoming the midfielder back into the side soon.

Otherwise, Saints have no new injury or suspension worries, so have a strong squad from which to choose.

For the Gunners, Per Mertesacker is close to a return but may not recover in time for this game.

Theo Walcott looks set to keep his place as a central striker, with Arsene Wenger hopeful he can tie the England man to a new contract soon.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • In scoring three times at the Britannia Stadium against Stoke, Southampton became the first side to net more than once away to the Potters this season.
  • Only two players have appeared in every Premier League game for Saints this season: Rickie Lambert and defender Jose Fonte, the latter of which has started every game.
  • Having gained just one win in their first 10 matches this term, Southampton have lost just twice in their subsequent nine games.
  • These sides have already faced each other this season in the Premier League, with the Gunners triumphing 6-1 thanks in part to a brace from Gervinho and own goals from Nathaniel Clyne and Jos Hooiveld.
  • Arsenal’s Theo Walcott (pictured right) has scored 10 goals in his last 10 appearances in all competitions.
  • The Gunners’ 7-3 victory over Newcastle was the joint second-most goals to be scored in a Premier League match, equal with their 8-2 loss to Manchester United last season.
  • Arsenal have won their last four Premier League matches by a goal aggregate of 15-5.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Southampton 1-3 Arsenal
    15.59 %
  • Southampton 0-3 Arsenal
    10.16 %
  • Southampton 1-4 Arsenal
    9.75 %
Head to Head
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Jan 1, 2013 Southampton 1 - Arsenal 1
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Sep 15, 2012 Arsenal 6 - Southampton 1
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Last Five Matches
Southampton
May 12, 2013Sunderland 1 - Southampton 1EPL
May 4, 2013Tottenham 1 - Southampton 0EPL
Apr 27, 2013Southampton 0 - West Bromwich Albion 3EPL
Apr 20, 2013Swansea 0 - Southampton 0EPL
Apr 13, 2013Southampton 1 - West Ham 1EPL
Arsenal
May 14, 2013Arsenal 4 - Wigan Athletic 1EPL
May 4, 2013QPR 0 - Arsenal 1EPL
Apr 28, 2013Arsenal 1 - Man Utd. 1EPL
Apr 20, 2013Fulham 0 - Arsenal 1EPL
Apr 16, 2013Arsenal 0 - Everton 0EPL
Odds
Returns: Southampton £410.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Draw £36.00 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Arsenal £130.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Team News
Available Squads
31Artur BorucGoalkeeper
3Maya YoshidaDefender
6Jose Rocha FonteDefender
23Luke ShawDefender
4Morgan SchneiderlinMidfielder
8Steven DavisMidfielder
10G. RamírezMidfielder
18Jack CorkDefender
21Guilherme Do PradoMidfielder
42Jason PuncheonMidfielder
7Rickie LambertStriker
1Kelvin DavisGoalkeeper
5Jos HooiveldDefender
22Frazer RichardsonDefender
16James Ward-ProwseMidfielder
9Jay RodriguezStriker
24Emmanuel MayukaStriker
33Steve de RidderStriker
13Wojciech SzczesnyGoalkeeper
3Bacary SagnaDefender
5Thomas VermaelenDefender
6Laurent KoscielnyDefender
28Kieran GibbsDefender
8Mikel ArtetaMidfielder
10Jack WilshereMidfielder
19Santi CazorlaMidfielder
9Lukas PodolskiStriker
14Theo WalcottStriker
15Alex Oxlade-ChamberlainStriker
-Damián MartínezGoalkeeper
4Per MertesackerDefender
7Tomas RosickyMidfielder
16Aaron RamseyMidfielder
35Francis CoquelinMidfielder
12Olivier GiroudStriker
27GervinhoStriker
Players to Watch
Jason Puncheon
Jason Puncheon
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 42
Games Goals YC RC
31 5 1 0
Jason Puncheon could be a key part of the Saints' midfield if they are to have any chance of taking a victory. Puncheon has been a regular feature this season and, despite some reported problems with the club’s executive chairman Nicola Cortese, he continues to be a key link to their central strikers.
Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 14
Games Goals YC RC
31 14 3 0
Theo Walcott is growing more and more comfortable as a striker for the Gunners, and will be hopeful of continuing his good form against the club where he started his career. Walcott scored a hat-trick against Newcastle last time out in addition to grabbing two assists, and will hope he can keep the hot streak going.
Prediction
Southampton are mired in relegation difficulties, but are just one point away from safety after a good run of recent results. However, the Gunners are on a roll behind the revitalised Walcott and should take a comfortable victory as they look to put pressure on fourth-placed Tottenham.
Editor's Prediction
Southampton 0
Arsenal 3
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Man Utd. 		25 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool 		23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham 		20 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa 		19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City 		19 0