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Arsenal’s final game before the October international break sees them face a struggling Southampton side at the Emirates.

While Russell Martin said he “didn’t recognize” his team after the defeat to Bournemouth on Monday night, Arsenal put in a performance on Tuesday night that has now become familiar to many. The Gunners beat Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and secured their first win in the league phase.

Mikel Arteta’s title contenders remain unbeaten in 2024/25, although they were given a scare by Leicester last weekend when a stunning brace from James Justin helped the Foxes restore parity after being 2-0 down in the second half. Ultimately, Arsenal’s relentless pressure took hold and they scored twice in a dramatic 4-2 win.

The Emirates faithful will appreciate a quieter afternoon when the saints come to town. Russell Martin’s side achieved promotion via the play-offs last season and are likely to struggle heading into the season. While their deal late in the transfer window has undoubtedly strengthened their squad, Southampton will struggle to pick up points this season. So far they have only scored one goal.

Join us for our Arsenal v Southampton preview, which includes key information such as team news, predicted lineups, tips on how to watch this Premier League clash on TV and an inevitably accurate score prediction.

When does the Arsenal vs Southampton game start?

Arsenal vs Southampton head-to-head record

Southampton undoubtedly contributed to Arsenal’s failure to win the 2022/23 Premier League title. Despite hitting rock bottom, they took four points from the Gunners and the last meeting between the two was an infamous 3-3 draw at the Emirates that crippled Arsenal’s title hunt.

Mikel Arteta has only managed two wins against the Saints in six meetings, with the club’s last victory dated December 11, 2021.

Is Arsenal vs Southampton on TV?

In fact, there aren’t many channels in the UK and North America showing Arsenal vs Southampton. The 3pm blackout means the game will not be shown at all in the UK, although you can watch the game unfold on Talksport Radio 2. Peacock will broadcast the Premier League game in the US, while fuboTV will be the broadcast for Canadians.

Arsenal team news

Arteta confirmed on Tuesday evening that Jurrien Timber’s substitution was precautionary, but it would be no surprise if the Dutchman was not at risk this weekend. Ben White could return to the starting lineup if he recovers from his injury in time.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is back in training and possibly in contention, as is Mikel Merino after making his Gunners push in midweek.

However, the hosts will not be able to rely on Martin Odegaard, Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko for the visit of Southampton.

Arsenal’s expected line-up against Southampton: Raya; Calafiori, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Partey, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Sterling.

Given Martin’s comments following the defeat at Bournemouth, we should expect changes to the Saints starting XI on Saturday.

Cameron Archer, Ben Brereton Diaz, Kyle Walker-Peters and Adam Lallana are among the contenders to join the Emirates team.

Will Smallbone is close to a return and could make the matchday squad, but Martin is still without Gavin Bazunu, Juan Larios and Kamaldeen Sulemana.

Aaron Ramsdale will start against his former club at his old venue.

Predicted Southampton vs Arsenal line-up: Ramsdale; Suguwara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Downes, Ugochukwu; Dibling, Lallana, Diaz; Archer.

Arsenal vs Southampton result prediction

Arsenal had nothing to do with being locked in an injury-time 2-2 draw last weekend and Arteta will be keen to oversee a dramatic home game on Saturday.

While Martin wants to see a reaction from his team after they were taken out of the game by Bournemouth on Monday, that is not possible for the Southampton team at the Emirates. The Saints coach has shown that he is adaptable and reasonably pragmatic, so I don’t think the visitors will come here and take on this Arsenal press.

Still, it will take a Mads Hermansen-like performance from Ramsdale to keep them in this game and I just don’t think that will happen. Arsenal should win at a canter.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Southampton

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