Unavailable:
Arsenal – Rosický, Cazorla, Wilshere
Southampton – Gardoş, Rodriguez, S. Davis
Whenever a team has a swing in fortunes, fans
and pundits alike are determined to find the answer as to what has gone right
or wrong. In Southampton’s case, it has obviously been going right recently leading
people to query what has led to this recent upturn in form. Five at the back?
The colossal might of Fraser Forster back in goal? The undoubted signing of
January in the shape of Charlie Austin? Sometimes though, the answer is just
not that simple, and I believe that this is the case at St Mary’s. We are not
poking our heads round the corner at Staplewood every second of the day. It is
a likely combination of any of the above mixed with a large dollop of the
ultimate gamechanger that is so hard to objectively measure – confidence.
What is sure is that Saints have a purpose
once again for this season. After a dour exit out of the back door from the FA
Cup, it had been thought that all was lost, and all Saints fans would have to
look forward to would be months and months of how much Manchester United would
be willing to pay for the services of Sadio Mané. As it is in this topsy turvy
season of fun, they have propelled themselves to within touching distance of
those Europa League spots once again. It could well be a key week with potential
European hopefuls West Ham also visiting St Mary’s this Saturday (instead of
the unseemly prospect of a Monday night game for the majority of fans). Yet, on
Tuesday night, it is the threat of title challengers Arsenal that they must quell.
A fine balance has to be found between defending against the Gunners’ creative
offence, and setting Shane Long and Mané onto a defence that can sometimes topple
faster than a Jenga tower.
Saints found that out to their delight in the
return game on Boxing Day. To say that Arsenal were fraught is a severe
understatement. A shambles, disgrace or sheer mess are all superior ways of
describing that “performance”. Per Mertesacker and co looked like they had
their boots stuck in thick treacle, as they could not cope with a bulldozing
display from Saints that showcased enough drive to win a few games. Watching
Arsène Wenger’s pre-match press conference highlights the desperation to avoid
another night of torment, and to secure a painless victory at Saints’ expense.
Clearly though, matters will not be that simple. Southampton’s five man
rearguard has durability and a swagger about it after three consecutive clean
sheets. It also has the ability to spring the quick counter-attack, which will
leave Mathieu Flamini and Aaron Ramsey turning their heels quickly in an
attempt to deny the attacking midfield space to run into.
The hosts will be wary of the plethora of
options that Ronald Koeman can now bring on during the game as well. The squad
is malleable, and can often leave opposition managers asking what side will
come out, and what shape will it slot into (even during the match), with the
Dutchman unafraid to make changes in-play. If they can find that equilibrium I mentioned
earlier, Southampton have the necessary firepower up top with the added patience
at the back to frighten Arsenal. They must seize that opportunity on Tuesday
night.
Key
Battles
Mertesacker
v Austin: There
is no doubt that Per Mertesacker is an excellent leader at centre-back, however
he is often left troubled by dancing feet or pure pace. While he has the
ability to galvanise his teammates, he is often undone by a lack of speed which
allows attackers to target him. New boy Charlie Austin should be able to find
pockets of space away from the German on Tuesday night. With a knack of being
in that proverbial right spot at the right time, Mertesacker may struggle to
contain the striker, especially with Mané always running directly towards the
Arsenal back four as well.
Ramsey
v Wanyama: After
being slated for a lack of professionalism against Norwich, Victor Wanyama
displayed what he is capable of against United last week. He shackled any wave
of attack that came towards him with excellent positional sense, and a few
crunching tackles. On Tuesday night, he will have to protect that back five
again, but this will clearly be a challenge against attacking midfielders who
move the ball around so fluidly. It is Aaron Ramsey who will most likely play a
holding role, but he will inevitably wander forward as well, therefore Wanyama
will need to be thoughtful of the late runs into the box from the Welshman.
This could also act as an opportunity for Saints to attack though – with Ramsey
upfield, the visitors’ spritely attack could take advantage of Mathieu Flamini’s
tiring legs.
Possible
Line-ups
Arsenal:
Čech
– Bellerín, Mertesacker (C), Koscielny, Monreal – Flamini, Ramsey – Walcott, Özil,
Sánchez – Giroud
Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Oxlade-Chamberlain,
Chambers, Campbell, Elneny
Southampton:
Forster
– Soares, Van Dijk, Fonte (C), Bertrand, Targett – Wanyama, Clasie, Ward-Prowse
– Mané, Austin
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