Emile Smith Rowe set to return for Arsenal; Willy Caballero in line for Southampton debut after signing short-term deal; follow Arsenal vs Southampton in our dedicated live match blog; watch free match highlights on Sky Sports digital platforms and YouTube channel from 5.15pm
Saturday 11 December 2021 14:39, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Arsenal vs Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday; kick-off 3pm.
Arsenal could have Emile Smith Rowe back in contention for the visit of Southampton after the England international returned to training on Thursday.
Bernd Leno is being assessed ahead of the game after suffering a groin problem in training last week.
Gabriel Martinelli is fit and available after being substituted against Everton on Monday while Sead Kolasinac (ankle) has returned to outdoor training.
Veteran goalkeeper Willy Caballero will make his Southampton debut after signing a short-term deal until January 5.
Caballero, the former Manchester City and Chelsea goalkeeper, comes in with Alex McCarthy (hamstring) and Fraser Forster (hip) both ruled out.
Jan Bednarek is available after a calf problem, but Che Adams is a doubt after picking up a knock in training and Oriol Romeu is suspended.
Follow Arsenal vs Southampton in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel from 5.15pm on Saturday.
The market is skewed too far in the direction of a home win with a very skinny 8/13 available with Sky Bet, meaning there is a 62 per cent chance of Arsenal landing maximum points according to those figures. That is a hard probability to make a sound argument for backing, especially on the back of Arsenal's timid showing at Goodison Park.
Southampton have shown this season - and for the majority of the Ralph Hasenhuttl reign - that a league position of 16th significantly underrates their true level in the Premier League. Hasenhuttl's side have scored six goals fewer than their expected goals figure of 20 this season - that is the worst underperformance of any team in the league.
It's that poor ability of converting chances that does put me off going in too heavy on their chances of winning at The Emirates as is the fact they have won just two of their last 20 away league matches.
History isn't in their favour, too.
Arsenal are unbeaten in all 22 Premier League home meetings with Saints - it is Arsenal's best unbeaten home record against any opponent club in Premier League history and Southampton's worst record without an away win.
Also, Southampton's tendency for a fast start - they would be fourth in the league if first halves only counted - might just be blunted here. Since the Ben White, Gabriel and Aaron Ramsdale axis was formed, Arsenal haven't conceded a goal before the 38th minute in those 12 fixtures.
As you can see, I'm a little muddled in my thinking, so when that is the case the draw is the obvious play at the prices - a result which has landed in nine of Southampton's last 12 away games.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1
BETTING ANGLE: Back the draw (3/1 with Sky Bet)
Alice Piper is joined by Sky Sports football journalists Ron Walker, Charlotte Marsh and Ben Grounds to look ahead to the Premier League weekend.
PART 1 | Ralf Rangnick's start at Manchester United goes under the microscope ahead of their trip to Norwich. Plus, Steven Gerrard goes back to Anfield for the first time as a manager, when Aston Villa face Liverpool. We look at his start in the Midlands and that romantic return.
PART 2 | Leicester host Newcastle on Sunday, with Eddie Howe looking to land back-to-back wins for the Magpies. We assess their chances of doing that. Plus, after Everton's last-gasp win over Arsenal, we build up to their Super Sunday clash with Crystal Palace and debate what Rafael Benitez must do to build on that victory.
PART 3 | We preview the Friday Night Football clash between Brentford and Watford, which starts a pivotal run of games for Claudio Ranieri's side, and also take a look at Chelsea's recent drop in form.
