Arsenal v Southampton; Match Preview

This is a dangerous match. Anyone who expects Arsenal to just walk over Southampton hasn’t watched how they took the game to both Manchester clubs. Put aside that the the visitors haven’t won away to Arsenal in their last 17 trips going back to 1987. This is a team that is well coached under manager Nigel Adkins and they will not just sit back and roll over.

Arsenal come into the match riding a run of three games without allowing a goal. Its the first time in 88 years that the Gunners have done that. And while the season is still in it’s infancy, the improvement in work ethic is easy to spot.

However, it’s the game after an international break and they first one back is always a dicey one to predict. In recent history the games after an international break have been lethargic, dangerous affairs that have had Gooners wringing their hands and biting their nails. It will be interesting to see how this lot, almost entirely new (for the most part) take the pitch after a two week hiatus.

We’re likely to not see Abou Diaby, who has been immense early, in this match. He has picked up what I think is being reported as a mild hip strain (let the doom and gloomers have at it) and is likely to be kept out for either Montpellier in the mid week or Manchester City next weekend. As Montpellier doesn’t pose much of a threat I wouldn’t be surprised if he is held out until the City match when he would be needed to go toe-to-toe with Yaya Toure.

Who Wenger will bring on in his place is debateable. Arteta has been playing the deeplying role quite effectively so you wonder if Wenger will call on Coquelin and free Arteta to play more the role Diaby has been playing – less defensive and more attacking. Or does he opt for Chamberlain to bring speed and strength in the middle. As you can see below I opt for Chamberlain.

Where the challenge is going to be is how to Arsenal handle the strong man up front in Rickie Lambert. Lambert has been an absolute beast and working his tail off against opponents. He is a handful and you wonder how Wenger and Bould will prepare their defense to play against him. I’ve put Koscielny in the defense to handle him. We lose something in the height but we gain something in speed and strength. Mertesacker’s game is positional and reading of the play. While Koscielny also plays that way he also does very good in one on one situations where you have to be strong on the ball. I like that match up more than the Mertesacker one but think we’d be fine regardless.

With Walcott likely to be sidelined due to a virus he contracted while on international duty, look for Gervinho to move to right and add cover to Jenkinson.

But the big object of the day will be Olivier Giroud. In the match against Liverpool his debutante teammates, Podolski and Cazorla opened their scoring accounts. Now with Southampton in front of him, Giroud needs to do the same. Don’t take that statement as one of impatience. If Giroud doesn’t score its not the end of the world. However, it should be noted that past Arsenal starts not only took time to score their first goal but did it against this weekends opponents Southampton. Dennis Bergkamp took 8 games to score and Henry 9. They both netted that elusive first goal against Southampton.

This is not to say that Giroud will go to the heights of Henry or Bergkamp. No, but Southampton who’s defense has already allowed 8 goals in 3 games, is a perfect opportunity for the Frenchman. And its not as if he has been poor. His movement is so good.  He is strong in the air. He hasn’t connected the final product yet and a lot what I see seems to be someone who a.) is trying hard  and b.) is still trying to figure out how to work with his teammates. But it will come. I am not sure Giroud has had the likes of Cazorla, Arteta and Poldi to work with. While Cazorla and Poldi have seemingly gelled to expect that it will happen with Giroud as quickly is preposterous to think. Players need time.

And for Giroud, I believe as I have since we signed him, that when it comes, it will come in spades.

How the Match will play out:
I don’t expect Southampton to change their style much. As highlighted by Michael Cox on the dot com site, the Saints will come in with either a 4-1-4-1/4-3-3. And they aren’t prone to sitting back. Arsenal will have a team in who wants to play along with them. With quality on the wings Arsenal will have to be careful and as good as Jenkinson and Gibbs have been, support from Podolski and whomever deputizes for Theo, is necessary. However, With the creative nature of Arsenal and how well Cazorla has been, if given time and space the Gunners will get their opportunities. The Saint’s defense has already allowed the most shots on goal this season. Arsenal are getting their shots and chances even against teams that have sat back and absorbed their attack. With plenty of shots and lots of back and forth I see a game that is open and fun to watch. However, given that Southampton have been scoring, I do think that the clean sheet run is over.

Players to Watch:

Arsenal: Olivier Giroud. Now is the time for the leading scorer in Ligue 1 to open his account. Perfect chance to do it.

Southampton: Rickie Lambert.  I won’t say that he terrorized defenses in the last three weeks but he has been a handful.

Projected Starting XI:

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal:  Rosicky (achilles) Sagna (leg) Frimpong (knee) Wilshere (foot) Diaby (doubtful – hip) Walcott (doubtful – virus)

Southampton : Cork (doubtful – ankle)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Podolski 1, Cazorla 1

Southampton: Lambert 2

Assists:
Arsenal:  Cazorla 1, Podolski 1

Southampton: Lambert 1, Lallana 1, Puncheon 1

Goals For:
Arsenal (home): 0

Southampton (away): 4

Goals Against:
Arsenal (home): 0

Southampton: (away): 8

Last Five (league):
Arsenal: DDW

Southampton: LLL

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 2

Southampton: -4

Match Official:
Referee: Kevin Friend (Matches 2, R1 Y7)

Broadcast Information:
US: FoxSoccer.Tv 1000 AM EST

UK: Match of the Day – BBC1 (highlights only)

GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!

www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3

Southampton: 1