Southampton’s hunt for a first Premier League win of the season continues as Russell Martin takes his side to Arsenal.
An incredibly difficult game, Southampton will be desperate to put right the timid display in the 3-1 defeat at Bournemouth on Monday night.
With just one point from a possible 18 so far, Russell Martin could really do with a surprise result to receive some of the pressure that is mounting.
The fact that there is a two week international break following the Arsenal game means there will be plenty of unwanted noise regarding Martin’s position should Southampton suffer yet another defeat.
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Southampton team news for Arsenal clash
The good news for Martin is that his squad have a relatively clean bill of health.
The only long-term absentee is goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, with the Irishman set to be out until the new year with the Achilles injury he sustained in April.
Martin confirmed in his pre-Arsenal press conference that Kamaldeen Sulemana and Will Smallbone will again be missing for the trip to The Emirates, with both players expected to return after the international break.
The only other absentee is captain Jack Stephens who has had his three match ban extended to five for foul and abusive language aimed at the officials following his sending off in the 3-0 defeat against Manchester United.
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Southampton predicted XI vs Arsenal
Martin was left feeling let down by his Southampton players against Bournemouth and is therefore expected to ring the changes against Arsenal.
The Saints boss played a 4-4-2 with Mateus Fernandes and Tyler Dibling acting as a pair of false nines on Monday but it did not work and Southampton should return to a more natural 4-3-3.
Aaron Ramsdale will continue in goal against his former club, but could see a change in the back four in front of him.
Yukinari Sugawara has been a revelation since signing in the summer but struggled against Bournemouth and could come out of the side for Kyle Walker-Peters for this one.
Alternatively, Walker-Peters could replace Charlie Taylor at left-back but Martin appears to have decided he prefers the balance of a natural left-footer on that side.
Lesley Ugochukwu was another who had a poor night against Bournemouth and will likely lose his place as Joe Aribo was one of few bright sparks after coming off the bench for the second-half.
Adam Lallana was not deemed fit enough to start against the Cherries so may again be on the bench for Arsenal, meaning Fernandes could return to a more conventional midfield role.
Dibling should also return to a position in which he is more comfortable on the right of the front three, with Ben Brereton Diaz perhaps replacing Ryan Fraser on the left.
The big change could see Ross Stewart make his full Southampton debut over a year after signing having played 45 minutes against Bournemouth to provide Martin’s side with a focal point.
With all that in mind, here is how we predict Southampton will line up against Arsenal on Saturday.
Southampton (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Taylor; Downes, Fernandes, Aribo; Dibling, Stewart, Brereton Diaz.