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ARSENAL TEAM NEWS: INJURIES, SUSPENSIONS AND LINE-UP VS SOUTHAMPTON


Everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League clash at St Mary's Stadium on Sunday
Arsenal will have come out of last Saturday's defeat to Manchester United wondering how they managed to lose a game they absolutely dominated.

The Gunners recorded 33 shots, over 600 passes and saw United goalkeeper David de Gea equal a Premier League saves record in the process, but couldn't finish their chances in what proved to be a freak game.

Sunday's match against Southampton presents itself as an opportunity to get their league campaign back on track and manager Arsene Wenger believes goals are guaranteed at St Mary's this weekend.
“There should be goals because they are an offensive team as well, with offensive potential,” Wenger said.
“They have Charlie Austin back now, and of course they have players like Tadic, Redmond, Boufal who are all very strong offensively. They have a good technical level as a team and both sides can create chances so there could be goals there."

Wenger's men have already recorded two wins over Southampton at St Mary's in 2017 and could become the first team to make it three in a calendar year with victory on Sunday.
ARSENAL INJURIES

Shkodran Mustafi has been ruled out of Sunday's game with a thigh injury but Theo Walcott will be fit despite coming off with a tight calf during Arsenal's 6-0 thrashing of BATE Borisov on Thursday.
"The only one out at the moment is Mustafi," confirmed Wenger.
"He is certainly not available for Sunday. There’s a little chance of him coming back for West Ham, but he will not be available for Sunday."

Spanish midfield maestro Santi Cazorla remains a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury and recently suffered another setback in his recovery which saw him undergo surgery for the ninth time, pushing his return date even further away.

ARSENAL POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP

Wenger is likely to make wholesale changes for the game against Southampton, with Arsenal's attacking triumvirate of Alexis, Ozil and Lacazette all expected to return up front.

Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey will be the central midfield pairing while Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac will start in the wing-back slots.

Meanwhile, Mustafi's absence means that one of Per Mertesacker, Calum Chambers or Rob Holding could start in central defence.

SOUTHAMPTON TEAM NEWS

Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino has had just one win in six games and Sunday's match against Arsenal could be the club's third home defeat to the Gunners in 2017.
Cedric Soares won't feature due to a hamstring injury, meaning Jeremy Pied looks set to fill in at right-back. Shane Long remains a doubt with a calf problem.

Following their draw against Bournemouth last week, Southampton find themselves in 11th place, nine points behind Arsenal who sit in fifth spot.

Charlie Austin is the club's top goalscorer this season having scored four goals.


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