Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon against a Southampton side who are in real trouble at the bottom of the table.
Saints have picked up just one point from their last seven Premier League fixtures, meaning they are firmly entrenched in the relegation places.
To make matters worse, Southampton have NEVER won an away Premier League fixture against the Gunners.
Nonetheless, it may well be the perfect time to visit north London.
The Gunners have not won in the Premier League since the start of October. A 2-0 defeat at Leicester before the international break saw the pressure continue to mount on head coach Unai Emery.
Former captain Granit Xhaka has not played for the club since October when he reacted angrily to being substituted against Crystal Palace.
Addressing club staff in a recent meeting, head of football Raul Sanllehi and managing director Vinai Venkatesham insisted Emery is the right man for the job – but stressed results must improve.
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal
The Gunners could recall Granit Xhaka for Saturday’s Premier League visit of Southampton.
The former Gunners captain has not featured for the club since swearing at supporters following his substitution against Crystal Palace last month, but could return having played both of Switzerland’s internationals last week.
Dani Ceballos (hamstring) is missing while there are minor doubts over Sead Kolasinac, Rob Holding and Bukayo Saka, who will all be tested on Friday to see if they are match fit.
Southampton
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has a full-strength squad after reporting no fresh selection concerns following the international break.
Poland defender Jan Bednarek and Denmark midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg were among those involved in Euro 2020 qualifiers.
Defender Ryan Bertrand is available having completed his three-match suspension for a red card in the 9-0 defeat by Leicester.
PREDICTED TEAMS
Working with three at the back has become a trademark for Arsenal in the past three years, but Emery may be forced into changes after recent results.
Failing to beat Leicester and Vitoria in the Europa League could mean serious tactical alterations and a return to a conventional back four. Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney are perhaps the only guaranteed starters for that defence.
Mesut Ozil possesses the sort of creativity required for these fixtures and Nicolas Pepe will be expected to deliver a solid showing against a side who have conceded the most goals in the Premier League this season.
If Emery decides to stick with a back three, then exploiting the space left behind by the wing backs will be crucial for Saints.
The pace and trickery of Shane Long and Danny Ings could cause the likes of David Luiz and Rob Holding all sorts of problems, stretching an already fragile defence.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oriol Romeu will be tasked with controlling the midfield and upsetting Arsenal’s creative players, while the return of Bertrand is a huge plus against Pepe; a player desperately lacking in confidence.
