[Team News:]

Time: 3:05pm
Date: Sunday 24th February
Stadium: Emirate
Team News:
For Arsenal manager Unai Emery, Thursday's tie with BATE had the potential to be a nervy game, as one away goal for the visitors would have left the Gunners needing to score at least three.

With that in mind, the coach would have been pleased with the professional manner in which the team went about their business. After an early own goal levelled the tie, there was never any danger of the Belarusian team finding a way back into the contest.
James Benge of Football.London commented on the composed nature of the Arsenal performance:
The match against Southampton has the potential to be a lot tougher. Not only did Emery field a strong side on Thursday following the first-leg loss, but Saints have also shown this season they are capable of digging in away from home. In January, they were excellent defensively in a 0-0 draw with Chelsea.
As such, it will be intriguing to see who Emery opts for in attack, with Mesut Ozil back on the lips of Arsenal supporters following his reintroduction to the side on Thursday.
The German's future has been the subject of speculation, with Emery leaving him out of the starting XI for a number of key games.
The man himself said he was relieved to get on the pitch again, with his previous start coming on January 29 against Cardiff:
For all the upbeat vibes Hasenhuttl has brought at St Mary's, Southampton are still in the relegation zone and the supporters remain concerned about dropping down a tier. Their previous defeat was a major blow, as they conceded in the 92nd minute at home to Cardiff.
The manager has had two weeks to work with the team since then, and he will thus be confident of seeing a rejuvenated performance at the Emirates.
That may make this one a grind for Arsenal, and it's easy to see this encounter being deadlocked after an hour. In the end, the extra firepower available to Emery will see his side sneak an important win.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-0 Southampton

Post Reply

Posted: at 23-02-2019 07:27 PM (5 years ago) | Hero

Reply: