Southampton are winless in 28 away league games against Arsenal, dating back to 1987, and anything other than a resounding home win in North London would be a major surprise.
Arsenal vs Southampton Preview
Will Arsenal continue their winning streak? On Wednesday night, the Gunners swatted aside Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, cruising to a 2-0 home win, with Kai Havertz heading home the opener, before Bukayo Saka's wide free-kick evaded everybody and found itself nestling in the bottom corner untouched.
This continues Arsenal's unbeaten start to the campaign, meaning Mikel Arteta's team are now undefeated in 15 matches across all competitions, dating back to April, the club's longest streak since August-December 2018, early on in Unai Emery's reign.
In the Premier League, the Gunners have collected 14 points from six outings so far and, following last weekend's last-gasp, stressful 4-2 victory over Leicester, supporters are hoping for a rather more serene Saturday success this time round.
Well, Southampton should provide little opposition because, based on what we've seen so far, they are, unquestionably, the weakest side in the division. On Monday night, Russell Martin's team were smashed by South Coast rivals Bournemouth, 3-0 down by half time at Dean Court, before Taylor Harwood-Bellis' goal just six minutes after the interval failed to spark any semblance of a revival.
This leaves the Saints with just a solitary point to their name, held to a 1-1 draw by Ipswich at home a fortnight ago, but conceding thrice during their other three fixtures since 31 August. Another defeat here would represent Southampton's lowest points tally seven games into a top-flight campaign since 1998 and it would be a major shock of the Saints left North London with anything.
Arsenal vs Southampton Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 106
- Arsenal Wins: 53. Draws: 30. Southampton Wins: 23.
Arsenal vs Southampton: Last 5 Meetings
- 21 April 2023 - Arsenal 3-3 Southampton
- 23 October 2022 - Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
- 16 April 2022 - Southampton 1-0 Arsenal
- 11 December 2021 - Arsenal 3-0 Southampton
- 26 January 2021 - Southampton 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal Team News
Mikel Arteta named identical line-ups against both Leicester and PSG, potentially set to pick the same XI again here too. Mikel Merino came off the bench for his debut on Wednesday, so will be hoping for another cameo, following a freak shoulder injury. Jurriën Timber was replaced at half time in mid-week, with Arteta himself confirming this was precautionary, so with Benjamin White currently not available, the Dutchman will be needed. Lastly, Ethan Nwaneri was excellent when he came off the bench lasst weekend, so expect to see the 17 year old feature at some stage again.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Southampton: (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
Arsenal Player to Watch vs Southampton
Kai Havertz's header again PSG makes him only the fourth player in Arsenal's entire history to score in each of the first five home games to start a campaign, after Jimmy Brain (1927), Cliff Bastin (1934) and Doug Lishman (1954). Meantime, Havertz has also scored in six successive appearances at Emirates Stadium, only the third player to achieve this, after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor, and a goal here would equal Adebayor's record set in 2007/08.
Southampton Team News
Club captain Jack Stephens was sent off against Manchester United last month and, despite having now served his three-match ban, isn't available just yet, because he's been suspended for an extra two games for abusive language towards multiple match officials. Thus, Jan Bednarek will continue to be Taylor Harwood-Bellis' partner at the back, while former Arsenal favourite Aaron Ramsdale will certainly receive a warm reception. On Monday night, Russell Martin didn't start a striker, despite having five on his bench, namely Ben Brereton Díaz, Cameron Archer and Ross Stewart, all of whom came on, as well as Adam Armstrong and Paul Onuachu who did not, so you'd imagine at least one will be in the XI this time.
Southampton predicted lineup vs Arsenal: (4-5-1): Ramsdale; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Taylor; Ugochukwu, Downes, Fernandes, Aribo, Dibling; Brereton Díaz.
Southampton Player to Watch vs Arsenal
Ben Brereton Díaz is still yet to win a Premier League game in which he's feature in 20 attempts. The competition-record is held by Gareth Bale, who wasn't victorious in any of his first 24 Premier League appearances, but the Chilean international does have happy memories of facing Arsenal, converting a penalty during a 4-2 FA Cup win back when he was at Nottingham Forest and still known as Ben Brereton.
Arsenal vs Southampton Prediction
Following their dramatic 4-2 victory over Leicester last weekend, Arsenal are now unbeaten in 40 home Premier League matches against newly-promoted clubs, dating back to 2010. We're fully expecting this streak to continue, with the Gunners very likely to swat the generally hapless Saints aside: Arsenal 3-0 Southampton.
Arsenal vs Southampton FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Arsenal vs Southampton Premier League game on TV channel?
Arsenal vs Southampton Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: This fixture is not being broadcast live in the UK.
- USA: Peacock & SiriusXM FC
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
How to watch Arsenal vs Southampton Premier League game on live streaming?
Arsenal vs Southampton Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: This fixture is not being broadcast live in the UK.
- USA: Peacock & SiriusXM FC
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Arsenal vs Southampton in the Premier League?
Arsenal vs Southampton takes place on Saturday 5 October 2024, with kick off at 15:00 (BST), 10:00 (ET) & 7:00 (PDT).