GettyArsenal take on Southampton on Friday night looking to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
But they go into the game against the relegation-threatened Saints on the back of two disappointing results, having drawn at Liverpool and West Ham despite leading 2-0 in both games.
So how are things shaping up at Arsenal ahead of Friday’s clash? GOAL takes a look.
Getty ImagesWilliam Saliba will be out once again with the back problem that has seen him miss Arsenal's last four Premier League games. Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to return, however, having sat out the draw at West Ham on Sunday due to a groin problem. Long-term absentees Mohamed Elneny (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) remain sidelined.
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Getty ImagesAfter missing the penalty against West Ham last time out, Arsenal’s winger will be out to make amends against Southampton. Saka was understandably down after what happened at the London Stadium, but he has shown before that he can bounce back from disappointment in the best way possible. If Saka plays well, Arsenal play well and this feels like a night where he could make the difference.
Getty ImagesAfter surrendering a two-goal lead twice in successive games, there has been plenty of talk during the past week of Arsenal crumbling under the pressure of having Manchester City chasing them. Arteta played that down in his press conference ahead of the Southampton game, but he will know that everyone will be looking at his side on Friday night for any further signs that they are feeling the nerves. Everyone expects Arsenal to beat Southampton, who are rooted firmly at the bottom of the Premier League. Anything other than three points will lead to even more questions about their ability to cope with the pressure.
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Getty ImagesWhen asked whether he felt pundits were disrespecting his team by suggesting they were ‘bottling it’, Arteta said: “These are opinions and we have to respect that. When you set the standards and expectations, you have to maintain them. To win every single game in the Premier League is extremely difficult.
"It’s not like you lost five games in the last six and are in this situation, you draw two matches and play two very difficult fixtures away from home but when you are there everybody expects you to win. The necessity to win the Premier League (is) you have to win almost every single game. That’s the demands and you have to accept that."
Getty(4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
